The Republic of Ireland secured their fifth win in succession with a laboured 1-0 victory against Hungary in the Nations League.
Eileen Gleeson’s side, already assured of promotion to League A, had to rely on an own goal from captain Henrietta Csiszar midway through the second half at Tallaght Stadium to maintain their perfect record.
Ireland took top spot in Group B1 with a 1-0 victory over Albania in October, and they might have been expected to cruise to a comfortable win in front of a home crowd on Friday night.
But the visiting side did not make life easy for Ireland in the opening period, with Kyra Carusa and Denise O’Sullivan squandering the best chances to put the hosts ahead at the interval.
After the break, Caitlin Hayes came close to finding the breakthrough only for her header from Megan Connolly’s corner to be cleared off the line by Hannah Nmeth.
However, Ireland finally ended Hungary’s impressive resistance shortly after the hour mark.
Substitute Sinead Farrelly played in Heather Payne whose cross was fumbled by goalkeeper Reka Szocs. Csiszar then putting through her own net as she attempted to clear with 65 minutes gone.
Hungary went in search of an equaliser but came up short, dropping them to third place in the group following Northern Ireland’s win against Albania.
Ireland play Northern Ireland at Windsor Park on Tuesday in their final match of the campaign.
