Marlin Coast Rangers playing-coach breaks 30-year Australian soccer record

Marlin Coast Rangers playing coach Chris O’Hare has broken a 30-year record in the clubs Australia Cup match against Stratford Dolphins. WATCH the video here >>

Pictured(l-r): CJ Lewis, Chris O'Hare and Cooper Kennedy. Marlin Coast Rangers v Leichhardt Lions. FQPL Far North & Gulf 2024. Photo: Gyan-Reece Rocha

Marlin Coast Rangers playing coach Chris O’Hare has broken a 30-year record in the clubs Australia Cup match against Stratford Dolphins.

O’Hare scored a goal from half way with his first kick of the match, kicking the goal 3.68 seconds into the game.

It breaks a record set by Damian Mori in 1995 who scored for Adelaide City 3.69 seconds into their clash with Sydney United.

O’Hare said he was completely unaware he broke the record.

“I definitely didn’t know at the time,” O’Hare said laughingly.

“As soon as I made contact it felt nice off the boot and seen it go through the air it looked pretty good.

“It is one of those things I suppose, you don’t really plan for it but saw the keeper off his line a little bit and thought it was worth a crack.

“It was nice to see it go in.”

Is this the 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐠𝐨𝐚𝐥 in Australian football history?! 🤯

Marlin Coast Rangers FC’s Crios O'Hare scored 3.68 seconds after kick-off in their Hahn #AustraliaCup match against Stratford Dolphins in Cairns on Saturday 💨

It would break the 1995 record by Damian Mori… pic.twitter.com/9Aa2Yo6Ft7

— Hahn Australia Cup (@AustraliaCup) February 10, 2025

It isn’t the first time O’Hare has tried to score from the kick off but the first time he was as lucky.

“I actually remember Damian Mori’s goal in 95, I really liked him as a player,” O’Hare said.

“I remember my dad scoring similar goals when I was growing up, not from the kick off but from half way.

“I did try it a couple of years ago against Leichhardt and it came off the cross bar.

“It has been in the making for a little while and it’s obviously pretty nice to see it go in.”

Marlin Coast went onto win 5-0 and will now play either Edge Hill or Leichhardt.

Edge Hill and Leichardt’s game was called off due to the wet weather in the region and will likely play their game one night this week before taking on Marlin Coast on Saturday.

“I just want to give a shout out to Ciaran Murray for the assist,” O’Hare said.

Originally published as Marlin Coast Rangers playing-coach breaks 30-year Australian soccer record