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.