MASON MELIA ENJOYED a memorable debut for Tottenham Hotspur this afternoon, scoring just three minutes after coming off the bench for the U21s.
The 18-year-old joined Spurs in January after his big-money move from St Patrick’s Athletic, but had to wait for his first appearance as he recovered from a back injury.
Named in the U21s matchday squad for the first time, Melia was introduced in the 67th minute against West Ham and made an instant impact, finishing off a team move to make it 2-2.
Mason Melia just 3️⃣ minutes into his debut! 👊
Watch live on SPURSPLAY 📺 https://t.co/VHDGGkRNio pic.twitter.com/ebRWzOq68Q
— Tottenham Hotspur Academy (@Spurs_Academy) April 4, 2026
Tottenham went on to win 3-2 at Hotspur Way.
Melia missed Ireland U21s’ recent Euro qualifiers against Moldova and Kazakhstan as he rebuilt fitness, but the Wicklow forward should return for their September/October triple-header.
One player who was involved in Jim Crawford’s squad, Jaden Umeh, scored a stunning free-kick for Benfica U19s in the Lisbon derby this afternoon.
Umeh let fly from range to put Benfica 2-1 up, but Sporting hit back late on and it finished 2-2.
WHAT A GOAL🤯
Look at what Jaden Umeh has just done to put Benfica U19s 2-1 up in the Lisbon derby. Lost for words on this lad at this stage. pic.twitter.com/AGJvg6nOD9
— Reptracker | Conor McEvoy (@reptracker) April 4, 2026
And Owen Elding – who is due to receive his Irish citizenship this month and should be eligible for international fixtures thereafter – scored in the first minute of Hibernian’s Scottish Premiership clash against Kilmarnock.
The former Sligo Rovers 20-year-old broke the deadlock early as he continues his fine form, and Hibs lead 2-0 at the time of writing.