The Ireland Women's Under-17s jumped to the top of Group B5 with a 2-1 win over Lithuania in their UEFA WU17 European Championship qualifiers.

Anna Butler scored twice, through a neat first-half finish and a second-half penalty, to guide Ireland to victory in Kaunas.

The Girls in Green started well with Bohemians defender Emma Gaughran fired a shot over the bar before DLR Waves ace Aisling Meehan twice forced Lithuanian goalkeeper Ieva Kaminskaite into saves with good efforts.

On 35 minutes, Treaty United midfielder Madison McGuane attempted to chip the ball over Kaminskaite from distance but it didn't dip in time. Ireland were piling the pressure on and the hosts responded by making a double substitution.

James Scott's team had further chances through Gaughran and a header wide from Shamrock Rovers forward Butler as they kept pushing for that first goal.

The persistence paid off on 43 minutes when Butler slipped away from her marker and latched onto a through ball to hook a lobbed shot into the back of the net to make it 1-0.

Just before the interval, Kaminskaite produced a fine diving save to deny Butler a second goal as Ireland finished the first half in control with 16 shots on goal registered.

Lithuania drew level early in the second half when Jotvile Sapaite took a chance from distance and drove the ball over the head of goalkeeper Jenna Willoughby on 53 minutes.

Ireland responded well and almost regained the lead on 71 minutes when captain Ella Kelly saw her effort rebound back off the crossbar after initial good work from Lauren Bowe on the right side.

Butler got them back in front on 87 minutes when she converted a penalty that was awarded following a foul on Bowe. It was exactly what Ireland's play deserved and proved to be the winner.

Next up is a clash with Faroe Islands on Wednesday before Lithuania take on the same opponent next Saturday to close out the three-team group.

Ireland: Jenna Willoughby; Heather Loomes (Sophia Leonard 68), Aibhlinn Cotter, Finley Newell, Emma Gaughran; Madison McGuane, Lauren Bowe; Aisling Meehan (Leah McGrath 59), Maeve Wollmer (Sarah McCaffrey 68), Ella Kelly; Anna Butler.

Fixtures
UEFA WU17 EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP QUALIFIERS

Wednesday, March 12th | Ireland v Faroe Islands, National Training Centre, Kaunas, KO 13:00