The Republic of Ireland have gone top of their group in the Euro qualifers after beating Montenegro 3-0.

Despite the thrashing, coach Vera Pauw insisted that Ireland could be even better as it was only when Montenegro's Darija Djukic saw a red card in the 65th minute that the team played well.

The first half saw one goal from Ireland's Diane Caldwell in the 12th minute and it was the second half that had all the drama.

Djukic saw red after her second bookable offence and then Ireland scored twice in two minutes.

Captain Katie McCabe hit her side's second in the 83rd with Denise O'Sullivan scored in the 85th.

The team's next qualifier is against Germany on April 11 which is likely to be played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus.

Once all the teams have played one another in the groups, the side on top will qualify for the Euros.

Pauw said post-match: “We’re very much on track for qualification. However, our strategy from training of moving the ball didn’t translate onto the pitch. There were too many mistakes in possession.

"Composure is so important at the elite level of international football and we need to get better in that area.”