A goal from Rowan Roache put Ireland ahead going into the break and they shifted up a level in the second period with Roache again scoring alongside Dominic Peppard, Adam Idah and Aaron Connolly.

Colin O'Brien had hoped to keep his team's focus steady going into the first game of a tricky Group 2, which also contains Greece and Kazakhstan, because any slip-up could prove costly.

The aim is to make it out of this Qualifying Round and secure passage through to the Elite Round, where the group winners will progress to the finals tournament in Croatia. First things first though, they needed to win.

Roache, who plays his club football with Blackpool, kept his nerve on 37 minutes to fire Ireland into the lead. Slick passing, clever movement and patience all contributed to that opening goal.

O'Brien's team continued to use the ball well in the second half, but they were even more powerful when surging forward and the next goal arrived on 53 minutes courtesy of Peppard.

The goals started to flow in after that with Roache, Idah and substitute Connolly all scoring, while Joan Torres Vila headed in from close range for the visitors. Overall, Ireland hit the target nine times from 15 attempts and netted five goals to secure the three points.

Next up for Ireland is a clash with Kazakhstan on Monday,October 17, before they meet Greece in their final Group 2 game on Thursday, October 20.

Andorra: Iker; Torres Vila, Moral Soler, Guillen Garcia, Acosta Farre; Vales Ramos, Magalhaes Fernandes (Martinez Jimenez 48); Pubill Dos Santos, Oliveria Araujo (Almeida Djeck 61), Bazan Navarro (Fernandez Vieitez 65); Antunes Da Silva.

Republic of Ireland: Maher; L O'Connor, Ledwidge, Lee, Peppard; Coventry, Bolger; Nolan (Kilkenny 65), Roache, Thompson; Idah (Connolly 69).

Referee: Alain Durieux (LUX).