SPURS-BOUND Mason Melia became the youngest-ever goalscorer for the Ireland Under-21s with a penalty in a friendly win over Hungary.
Jim Crawford’s side eased to victory in Murcia last night thanks to the 17-year-old’s history-making strike and two more from Brentford defender and debutant Conor McManus.
Gabor Jurek equalised for Hungary, who went in level at half-time, before the visitors asserted control after the break.
St Patrick’s Athletic forward Melia signed a deal in February to join Tottenham for around €1.9m at the beginning of 2026.
At 17 years, six months and two days old, he takes over as youngest scorer by beating the previous record set by former Tottenham forward Troy Parrott by exactly a month.
Elsewhere in Irish football news, the WNT will face the USA in two friendlies this summer.
Carla Ward’s team will come up against the world’s No 1-ranked side in Denver on Thursday, June 26 and again in Cincinnati three days later.
The two countries have played each other 15 times in the past, most recently in April 2023 in preparation for Ireland’s first appearance at a World Cup, when America won 1-0 and 2-0.
Ward said: “We are looking forward to these two games against the best international team in women’s football as they will provide the kind of challenge that we need to expose our players to more often.”
The double-header will come at the end of the Nations League groups.
Ireland face Greece next month home and away with Ward announcing her squad this morning.
They wrap up their group campaign with games away to Turkey and at home to Slovenia.
