Ireland are 90 minutes away from Euro qualification thanks to St Pat's youngster's hat-trick

Ireland are 90 minutes away from qualification for this summer’s European Under-17 Championships in Hungary - after Colin O’Brien’s side recorded a comprehensive 3-0 win over Ukraine on Friday afternoon.

St Patrick’s Athletic forward Mason Melia scored a hat-trick to put Ireland on top of their group ahead of next Monday’s final round of fixtures.

A draw over group hosts Cyprus would be enough to guarantee a place in the finals, while a win would likely guarantee top spot, with Ireland currently holding a two-goal advantage over second-placed Italy, who face Ukraine on Monday.

READ MORE: Ireland footballer Michael Obafemi blasts racist trolls: "I am a human being and do not deserve this behaviour"

Melia scored twice in the first-half and netted a third just after the hour.

It wasn’t all good news, however, as Shamrock Rovers defender and Ireland skipper Freddie Turley was red carded late in the game.

Liverpool winger Trent Kone Doherty provided the assist for Melia’s first after just four minutes when his left-wing cross was tapped home by the Saints youngster.

Melia doubled his tally in the 12th minute when he converted a Luke Kehir centre - and his hat-trick was served up by a Ike Orazi pull-back.

13 of the 16 players used against Ukraine currently play in the League of Ireland Academy system, while Liverpool's Trent Kone Doherty played underage at Derry City.

Ireland: Jason Healy (Waterford), Kaylem Harnett (Wexford), Freddie Turley (Shamrock Rovers), Stanley Ashbee (Hull City), Cory O’Sullivan (Shamrock Rovers), Daniel McGrath (Bohemians), Niall McAndrew (Derby), Luke Kehir (St Patrick’s Athletic), Naj Razi (Shamrock Rovers), Trent Kone Doherty (Liverpool), Mason Melia (St Patrick’s Athletic)

Subs: Matthew Moore (Cork City) for McAndrew 73, Daniel Babb (UCD) for Kehir 77, Romeo Akachukwu (Waterford) for Razi 68, Ike Orazi (Shamrock Rovers) for Kone Doherty 46, Nickson Okosun (Bohemians) for Melia 73.

READ NEXT:

• Ireland's Grand Slam novices urged by Johnny Sexton to embrace their golden opportunity

• Henry de Bromhead heads to Cheltenham Festival with different outlook following death of son Jack

• Dublin can overcome player turnover to make a mark this year, insists Ronan Hayes

• Rachael Blackmore hungry for more success as Cheltenham edges closer

• Cheltenham Festival Quiz: Test your knowledge of the famous meeting

Sign up to our Irish Mirror Horse Racing newsletter here.