Yerevan thrashing puts Under-21s bottom of table

Armenia Under-21 4 Republic of Ireland Under-21 1: A Henrik Mkhitaryan hat-trick all but ended Ireland’s slim hopes of qualification for the European Championships as they plummeted to the bottom of Group 2 in Yerevan today.

Led for the first time by MK Dons midfielder Stephen Gleeson, the Republic fell behind to Mkhitaryan’s opener after half-an-hour’s play.

Mkhitaryan made it 2-0 to the hosts in the 61st minute before Plymouth’s Cillian Sheridan gave his side a lifeline four minutes later, turning in James O’Shea’s cross.

Armenia continued to enjoy the best of the game, though, and re-established a two-goal gap through Hovhaness Goharyan’s 20-yard strike with 15 minutes to play.

Mkhitaryan slotted in a fourth, and his third, with an 82nd-minute penalty.

The result gave the hosts their first victory in the qualifiers and helps them leapfrog Don Givens’ side at the bottom of the table. Ireland have yet to win a game, with just four points from six outings.