The news came after the striker celebrated his 17th birthday under a fortnight ago and he will now prepare to link up with an international team, which boasts Premier League and Championship talent.
After naming his squad for this month’s crunch Euro 2025 qualifying run-in, with two final tests against Norway (in Cork) and Italy (away) to come, boss Jim Crawford was asked whether or not he feels the Wicklow native is ready for this step up.
“I wouldn’t have called him up if he wasn’t ready, that’s for sure,” said Crawford, as his side, currently second in Group A, target a first U-21 Euros qualification in their history.
Victory over Norway at Turner’s Cross next Friday would secure a two-legged play-off in November for the finals in Slovakia next summer.
“He’s been on our radar for a while. The senior manager Heimir [Hallgrimsson] saw him in the European games. I thought he was excellent. He can score goals and he’s very mature in the way he thinks about the game. You see him playing week in, week out for St Pat’s in really big games.
“It’s a real development opportunity for him playing in those games, as opposed to, that’s no disrespect to U-21 games in the UK.
“St Pat’s have turned a corner, played exceptionally well in Europe, and Mason is a vital cog in that machine. He’s done very well with the U-19s with Tom Mohan. I certainly think he’s ready to step into the U-21 environment. It’ll be a proud moment for him, his family and for all the coaches who have looked after him.”
With history on the line in this final window, handling the pressure will be crucial. Ireland know three points against Norway – a side they lost 3-2 to away last November – will set up a winner-takes-all clash with top seeds Italy.
“When you start thinking about the prize, it can lead to anxiety with players and then all of a sudden mistakes creep in,” added Crawford, who also recalled Crystal Palace’s Tayo Adaramola and Accrington Stanley’s Connor O’Brien.
Ollie O’Neill, Armstrong Oko-Flex, James Furlong and Alex Murphy missed out on the squad. “These are the games that you want. We’re going into the last window with it in our hands, what an opportunity for the players.”
Republic of Ireland U-21 squad – Goalkeepers: Tiernan Brooks (Gateshead), Killian Cahill (Brighton), Josh Keeley (Leyton Orient, on loan from Tottenham). Defenders: James Abankwah (Udinese), Emmanuel Adegboyega (Dundee United, on loan from Norwich City), Tayo Adaramola (Stockport County, on loan from Crystal Palace) Sam Curtis (Peterborough United, on loan from Sheffield Utd), Anselmo Garcia-MacNulty (PEC Zwolle), Connor O’Brien (Accrington Stanley), Connor O’Riordan (Cambridge Utd, on loan from Blackburn Rvs), Sean Roughan (Lincoln City). Midfielders: Baba Adeeko (Wigan Ath), Matt Healy (Royal Francs Borains), Joe Hodge (Huddersfield Town, on loan from Wolves), Andrew Moran (Stoke City, on loan from Brighton), Killian Phillips (St Mirren, on loan from Crystal Palace), Rocco Vata (Watford). Forwards: Sinclair Armstrong (Bristol City), Aidomo Emakhu (Millwall), Johnny Kenny (Shamrock Rvs), Mason Melia (St Patrick’s Ath), Mark O’Mahony (Portsmouth, on loan from Brighton), Franco Umeh (Crystal Palace)
