Mason Melia brace gets Ireland U21s off to winning start in Moldova

Melia – who will leave St Patrick’s Athletic in January to join Spurs for an initial €1.9m – rescued Ireland by supplying two similar finishes in each half.

BRACE: Mason Melia scored a brace for Ireland. Pic: Alex Nicodim/Sportsfile

Uefa Euro U21 qualification, Group D: Moldova 1 (Lupan 23) Rep of Ireland 2 (Melia 37', 74')

Tottenham-bound Mason Melia insisted his Ireland side were always confident of coming from behind at lowly Moldova to win their opening Euro qualifier through his brace.