Hugh Linehan shines as Los Zarcos hit for against Rathcoole in AUL League one encounter
The Los Zarcos side that had a 4-0 victory over Rathcoole Rovers FC in their League 1 clash at Cooney Park.
The Millstreet side were in control for most of the contest and in the overall scheme of things, thoroughly deserved their three points.
Los Zarcos stormed in front when after Hugh Linehan’s free kick came back to him from a clearance, he swung it into the box where the lurking Pa Dineen pounced to flick home on just four minutes.
Los Zarcos continued to keep the pressure on and from Hugh Linehan’s corner, Pa Dineen headed wide while unattended before Alan Murphy knocked it on for Danny Buckley to steer over.
But, following good work from Hugh Linehan, Darragh O’Riordan broke on the left before cutting inside to fire past the advancing Eoin McSweeney to double Los Zarcos’ advantage on 15 minutes.
After Rathcoole soaked up the early pressure, a lovely measured pass from Kevin Riordan gave David Carroll a chance, but he directed his effort wide of the target.
After defending from corner, Los Zarcos broke quickly as Danny Buckley lofted a ball into space for Hugh Linehan, but Eoin McSweeney timed his run off his line in time enough to put in a very important tackle.
Minutes later, Linehan controlled before firing an effort into the waiting arms of McSweeney.
A neat move then which started with Darragh O’Riordan, when he played it short to Linehan, who found Alan Murphy available, but a sharp intervention by Jamie Carroll put an end to the threat.
And when Niall Murray failed to make proper contact with his head from David Carroll’s cross, Alan Murphy drilled wide from a favourable position at the other end.
Rathcoole came so close to pulling one back, but when Kevin Riordan fed Mark Dennehy, the right winger turned inside before unleashing a cracking effort that dipped agonisingly over.
With just seconds to the break, Danny Buckley picked Alan Murphy out in a good position, but the Los Zarcos striker was denied by a decent save from McSweeney.
Los Zarcos threatened with just minutes into the second period when Danny Buckley failed to get enough force on his header from Alan Murphy’s cross.
Then, Alan Murphy had a great chance to add a third, but after winning possession, he failed to slot home to an unprotected net.
Rathcoole started to enter into a good phase of the game then and when Jamie Carroll headed on for David Carroll, he skewed disappointingly wide.
But, McSweeney was brought into action again when he produced an admirable save from Darragh O’Riordan’s stinging free kick.
Then, following Rathcoole’s good spell, Los Zarcos’ Adam Twomey collected from Hugh Linehan before looping a fine effort narrowly over.
The hosts almost opened their account soon after when a free kick dropped nicely for Brian Murphy, but his goal-bound effort was blocked by the feet of Niall O’Connor.
After producing a good run, Patrick Kiely whipped in an inviting cross into the box, but alas, no forthcoming Rathcoole player showed eagerness to attack the ball and a chance went.
Los Zarcos composed themselves again and took the game once more by the scruff of the neck when Hugh Linehan picked out Alan Murphy to slam home a third.
Minutes later, a mix-up in the Rathcoole defence, gifted Hugh Linehan when he was allowed control before guiding his effort into the net from an acute angle on 75.
Rathcoole’s Ultan Cotter and Brian Murphy missed opportunities before referee Alan McDonagh brought closure to the game.
Rathcoole Rovers: Eoin McSweeney, Andrew Sheehan, Jamie Carroll, Kevin Riordan, Niall Murray, Gabriel Zubar, David Carroll, Ultan Cotter, Mark Dennehy, Ardit Bushataj and Jack Hanover.
Subs: Brian Murphy for Mark Dennehy (half-time), Patrick Kiely for Gabriel Zubar (60), Oisin Cotter for Ardit Bushataj (60), Donagh Buckley for David Carroll (78).
Los Zarcos: Niall O’Connor, Conor Corkery, Pa Dineen, Colin Murphy, Niall Flahive, Diarmuid Buckley, Danny Buckley, Darragh O’Riordan, Alan Murphy, Hugh Linehan and Steven Lyons.
Subs: Simon Murphy for Danny Buckley (59), Adam Twomey for Steven Lyons (67), Evan O’Sullivan for Darragh Riordan (72), Mike Murphy for Alan Murphy (76), Joe Horgan for Diarmuid Buckley (79).
Referee: Alan McDonagh.
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