Captain Jayson Molumby netted a hat-trick and Jonathan Afolabi scored a brace as Tom Mohan's team responded to the scoreless draw with Azerbaijan in the best possible way.
Southampton youngster Afolabi opened the scoring on 12 minutes before Molumby (pictured above) got his first of the game just three minutes later. Seizing control early on allowed Ireland to dictate the rhythm of play.
Mohan had made five changes to his starting line-up and Afolabi certainly made the most of his opportunity to impress in what was a crucial game in Ireland's hopes of qualifying for next summer's finals in Finland.
However, it was local lad Molumby who went away with the match ball as he drove forward from midfield to give his team a cutting edge and finished his chances when they fell his way.
It was an eye-catching performance by Ireland as every player contributed and they pinned Cyprus back inside their own half for large periods, while the passing was crisp and 12 attempts on goal shows their attacking intent.
Ireland will now go into Tuesday's final game against Serbia looking to claim a second victory and top Group 7.
Republic of Ireland: Travers; McKenna, O'Shea, O'Hora (Doherty 46), Wilson; T O'Connor, Molumby (Obafemi 74); L O'Connor (Martin 67), Bolger, Farrugia; Afolabi.
Cyprus: Demetriou; Ioannou, Adoni, Menelou, Charalampous; Pounnas (Katsantonis 46), Panayides; Konstantinou (Stylianides 79), Gerolemou (Genethliou 46), Louka; Charalampous.
Referee: Alain Durieux (Luxembourg).