Laidback Melia Meteors' iron glove in a velvet fist

A prodigy who first emerged with Ard Scoil Rathangan, the 23-year-old Kildare star is expected to deliver every time she steps on a court and her ability to do that, especially in clutch situations, is remarkable.

THREAT: Claire Melia (Trinity Meteors) pictured at the launch of the launch of the InsureMyHouse.ie National Cup finals, which take place from Friday January 20th - Sunday January 22nd inclusive. Pic: ©INPHO/Dan Sheridan

CLAIRE Melia regularly racks up ‘double-doubles’ for club and country, yet amassing personal scores and rebounds isn’t actually what she loves to do most on a hard court.

That’s what makes herself and American Celena Taborn - a genuine ‘double big’ - such a twin threat under the boards and will make for compulsive viewing when favourites Trinity Meteors take on Killester in Sunday’s InsureMyHouse.ie Paudie O’ Connor Cup Final in Tallaght (5:30pm, live on TG4).