Sub Rooney quick off the mark with a dream debut hat-trick for Linfield
New Blues forward stars in a night of goals, goals, goals ...
What a night for Linfield debut boy Louis Rooney.
The 20-year-old came off the bench at Windsor Park to grab a hat-trick in just EIGHT minutes – as his side ran out 6-0 winners over Lisburn Distillery in the second round of the BetMcLean League Cup.
Rooney signed a one-year deal with the Blues just last week after spending all of his young careers at Plymouth Argyle.
His goals were among more than 40 scored on a night of drama.
Holders, Ballymena got off to the perfect start, beating Knockbreda 3-0.
But there were scares for a couple of Premiership sides against Championship opposition.
Glentoran needed extra time to see off battling Loughgall at Lakeview Park, Gary Haveron’s men running out eventual 1-0 winners.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for Loughgall boss Dean Smith who has a good record against the Glens in the Cup.
Last year he managed the Annagh United side which knocked out Glentoran, causing one of the biggest upsets in recent cup history.
Ballinamallard, meanwhile, were taken to a penalty shoot-out by Tobermore.
It was a superb performance by the Championship side who were pipped 8-7 on penalties.
Meanwhile, Crusaders had to come from being 1-0 down to beat Dundela 2-1.
There were also wins for other Premiership sides including Cliftonville, Glenavon, Carrick, Coleraine, Dungannon Swifts, Ards and Warrrenpoint, all against Championship opposition.
And in the all-Championship tie of the night, Portadown beat H & W Welders 3-2