St Patrick's Athletic recorded an important victory in the League of Ireland Premier Division last night, scoring three second half goals to secure a 3-0 victory over Drogheda at Richmond Park.
After their struggles to start the campaign and the departure of manager Tim Clancy, this result moved them up to fifth in the table and bolsters their chances of making a European push over the second half of the campaign.
While the result was the most important thing, another aspect of the game would have been fantastic to see for the club's supporters.
At the age of 15 years and 232 days old, Mason Melia came off the bench to become the club's youngest ever league debutant.
At 15 years at 232 days old, Mason Melia became our youngest ever League debutant last night
Mason came off the bench in the 3-0 win against Drogheda & assisted Chris Forrester’s second goal 🔝
His appearance makes him the third youngest player in LOI Premier Division history pic.twitter.com/IamjMkV6nt— St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) May 13, 2023
This was no token gesture either. Melia was introduced when the game was still level at 0-0, making a big impact as he helped his team to a win.
Mason Melia the next young Ireland player to watch
While this will be the first time many Ireland fans have heard of Mason Melia, he has already come up with some eye-catching moments at this point in his career.
That included in his senior debut for St Pat's, where he scored an absolute cracker against Wexford in the Leinster Senior Cup back in February.
𝗠𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗮 𝗕𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝘁 𝗣𝗮𝘁'𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗿
At 15 years & 132 days old, Mason Melia became our youngest ever senior scorer with this cracker vs Wexford in the Leinster Senior Cup at Richmond Park last night#StPatsFC #Saints2023 pic.twitter.com/Ij1Jl1SeP1— St Patrick's Athletic FC (@stpatsfc) February 1, 2023
He has also produced at international level.
Despite playing a level above what you would normally see from a player his age, Melia scored a hat-trick for the Ireland U17 side in their Euro qualifier against Ukraine in March.
ALL THE GOALS | #IRLU17 | 🇮🇪 3-0 🇺🇦
A hat-trick for your country 😍🇮🇪
What a moment for Mason Melia and Ireland MU17s as they overcome Ukraine in EURO qualifying ☘️#COYBIG | #WeAreOne pic.twitter.com/TRywKp1T0k— Ireland Football ⚽️🇮🇪 (@IrelandFootball) March 11, 2023
He has been included in the final squad for that tournament, which kicks off in Hungary later this month.
Speaking to the Irish Independent after last night's game, St Pat's interim boss Jon Daly had nothing but praise for the youngster.
When you are thinking ‘I need a goal’, I saw him score numerous goals for the U-19s, I saw him score against Wexford in the Leinster Senior Cup. I know he can finish and I know his movement is good.
Sometimes it is that little bit of luck you need. Eoin Doyle was suspended. We’re at 0-0 and if you look around and see Eoin and you're probably going to put him on. Tommy Lonergan has been unwell in the last few days. Sometimes it is that bit of luck.
I said to Mason and Rhys (Bartley) down in Cork (last week), they are not just there to make up the numbers. They are there on merit. Obviously they are there because we’re short on bodies, but they are there because they have been playing really well at U-19s and playing above their age in the academy.
The first real chance he had was cleared, Adam Murphy to Sam Curtis, whipped across and Mason made a great run across the front post, the defender got there and cleared it.
If that had gone in it would have been straight off the academy pitch, three lads lining up. You turn to Mason because you need a goal. I trust him to get a chance or get a goal. He’s made an impact and helped the team win 3-0.
With quite a few exciting Irish youngster emerging at the moment, Mason Melia is certainly another name to add to the list.
He is one to keep an eye on in the years ahead.
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