Stephen Kenny says boy wonder Mason Melia is 'defying the odds'

TLC is the name of the game Melia who turned 17 on Sunday.

GEM: Mason Melia of St Patrick's Athletic celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match against Waterford. Picture: Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile

Birthday boy Mason Melia will continue to have his gametime managed by Stephen Kenny.

The League of Ireland’s latest sensation scored for the third successive game on Friday, helping St Patrick’s Athletic to an emphatic 3-0 win over Waterford.

Earlier this month, he also scored on international duty for Ireland’s Under-19s. He turned 17 on Sunday.

That means he’ll be another year at least under the care of the Saints until, as seems likely, he’ll move to England.

The forward from Co Wicklow has opted against dodging the Brexit restrictions by joining a European club despite interest from Manchester City’s umbrella City Group.

Three straight victories make the Saints one of the league’s form teams but they’ve a battle to retain their spot in the Uefa Conference League next year due to the number of teams ahead competing for the golden third and, potentially, crucial fourth spot.

Melia will feature in the final six matches, but only to the extent Kenny permits. Burnout is a peril which has hampered many an Irish wonderkid over the years.

“We’ve managed his load a bit and he came back from the start against Waterford and did very well,” explained Kenny.

“When he returned from international duty last Tuesday week, we gave him time off until last Sunday, just to rest up as we had no match that weekend. He needs that and it’s part of managing him.” 

St Patrick's Athletic manager Stephen Kenny celebrates with Mason Melia after their side's victory in the UEFA Conference League third qualifying round second leg match against Sabah. Picture: Ehtiram Jabi/Sportsfile

Former Ireland boss Kenny, who made his League of Ireland comeback in May, has in possession one of the domestic scene’s hottest properties.

“I’ve never had it before - someone so young doing so well in such a pivotal position,” he said, referencing his long career in management.

“Mason is defying the odds. He has good values and a very high work ethic, embracing hard work. He covers the ground at a rapid rate, and while physically developing earlier in the season played in a number of positions, including the right.

“His recent goal against Drogheda was sort of needed after he’d had a bit of a spell without scoring.

“He was delighted with that and then scored in the next game against Dundalk.

“There was another goal for Ireland Under-19s and then another against Waterford.” 

Melia has quit school to concentrate on full-time training but another tyro emerging through the ranks is remaining in uniform, for now.

“Michael Noonan was on the bench against Waterford and has come into the reckoning,” Kenny said of the recently-turned 16-year-old.

“He got a couple of goals in the Leinster Senior Cup and is only a transition year student.” 

Saints have three away Dublin derbies in seven days, starting with Friday’s trip to champions Shamrock Rovers. They’re then at Tolka Park next Monday to face leaders Shelbourne before the Dalymount Park showdown with Bohemians.