Republic U21s start qualifiers with win over Bosnia-Herzegovina
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Tyreik Wright slots home the opener from the penalty spot
Republic of Ireland began their Euro U21 qualifying campaign with a 2-0 victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in Zenica on Friday.
Both goals came in the second half with Tyreik Wright firing home the opener from a penalty after a foul on Josh Kayode.
West Ham midfielder Conor Coventry hit the corner of the net to double the lead on 73 minutes.
Jim Crawford's side take on Luxembourg in their next qualifier on Tuesday.
The visitors, aiming to make the finals for the first time, enjoyed a 15th-minute escape when Bosnia captain Dorde Milojevic headed the second of two Amar Dedic corners in quick succession.
However as Coventry, Ross Tierney and Gavin Kilkenny started to forage in midfield, the Irish worked their way into the game and full-back Andy Lyons sent in an inviting 34th-minute cross from the right with which striker Kayode only just failed to make meaningful contact.
Debutant Jake O'Brien might have given Ireland the lead within three minutes of the restart when he dived to meet Kilkenny's inviting free-kick, but the Crystal Palace defender failed to find the target with his header.
However, the visitors were ahead with 52 minutes gone when, after Kayode had been bundled over by defender Luka Malic inside the area, Wright confidently converted the resulting spot-kick.
Goalkeeper Brian Maher had to dive full length to claim Dedic's threatening 61st-minute free-kick as the home side responded, and his side might have doubled their advantage had opposite number Belmin Dizdarevic not managed to block Wright's effort after Louie Watson had played him in with 20 minutes remaining.
Amar Begic drilled a shot across Maher's goal from an unlikely angle two minutes later, but Ireland did extend their lead through Coventry after Kilkenny and Watson had worked a 73rd-minute short corner move to set him up.
Sixteen-year-old Brighton striker Evan Ferguson was handed a debut with time running down as Ireland finished on the front foot to seal a fine win.