fin

We’ve kicked our last ball, scored our last goal, played our last game, De Courcey Albion are no more.

For a variety of reasons we were unable to field a team for the coming season.

Thanks to everyone that played, helped out, supported us over the years, we had a blast along the way!

This isn’t the first time the club has folded, so hopefully we’ll be back strong again sometime soon!

Albion 9-2 Hillington

A depleted Albion hammered an even more depleted Hillington on the last day of the season in a nothing game. It took 20 mins for Albion to break the deadlock when Jamesie played a 1-2 with Martin and then landed a cross to Tims feet to make it 1-0. Tim had it at 2-0 shorlty after before Noel made it 3-0 with a low lying shot. It was 3-1 when Hillington hit home from a corner. Martin Ryan made it 4-0 with a shot into the bottom right before Colm finished off a corner from Martin to make it 5-1. It was 6-1 before half time as Timmy ran clear of the defender and squared it to Martin to tap home with his left.

More of the same in the 2nd as Tim got his hat trick after being played on by Martin. Soon after it was 8-1 when Hugh was taken down in the box and Martin wrapped up his hat trick with a converted peno. It was 8-2 then with a nicely finished volley in to the top corner from the Hillington midfielder. The ref blew up on 70 mins right after Tim made it 9-2 to grab his 4th and 25th of the season.

All in all a mixed season for Albion, a slow start to the league campaign followed by disasterous cup runs and then a great spell of 6 wins in 5 which took them to 4th in the league and a cup quarter final. However the form changed once more and had to settle for a 5th place finish in the league.

Team. Walshy, Darren, Colm, Jamie, James, Hugh, John F, Duggy, Noel, Tim, Martin

Carrigtwohill 3-2 Albion

2 defeats in 2  has well and truely ended Albions run of fine form thouygh they will be kicking themselves that they didnt come away with at least a point. They began the better of the two teams creating 3-4 chances in the opening exchanges. Against the run of play Carrig scored when a cross wasn’t dealt with and left the striker with 2 opportunities to put the ball past Walshy after an initial save. It was 2-0 shortly after when the Carrig winger strolled through 3-4 players to slot home. One of Albions budding stars, Hugh Connell, had his game cut short when he ran into breathign difficulties and was replaced on 30 mins by John Finn. 2 mins later Tim Harringtons shot from the edge of the box was parried by the keeper and Finn was there to tap in his 2nd of the season – 2-1 at half time.

Much the same in the 2nd half. Conor Moloney and Ger O’Connell came on for Noel Twomey and Martin Ryan on 60 mins. Albion pushed high for the equaliser and it came on 85 mins through Conor Moloney. Carrig came back up on the attack from the kick off and made it 3-2 on 87mins with Albion once again switching off after scoring. A dissapointing end to the game but Albion will look to finish a hard season in style this thursday at home to Hillington.

 

Albion 2-7 Bohemians

Albion crashed out at the Quarter Final stages of the Corinthians Cup in spectacular fashion as they were humbled 7-2 at home to Division 1 champions elect Bohemians. A bare 11 with a stand in keeper Deccy Murray, also suffering a groin injury from the previous game, took to the field and from the off looked under severe pressure as Bohs slowly piled the pressure on. 15 minutes in it was 1-0, 39 minutes in it was 4-0 as Albion found it tough to hold off the sustained pressure.

The second half was a different story though Bohs did make it 5-0 early on. A Noel Twomey low shot made it into the net to make it 5-1 with 35 mins remaining and saved some face though it was 6-1 a short time after. From here on was Albions brightest spell with some nice attacking football. First up was Martin Ryan who was set through by Duggy and beating the offside trap for a 1 on 1 with the keeper but the keeper saved what should have been a sure goal. Ronan O’Driscoll then had 3 chances he will feel that he should have converted at least 2, John Duggan and Tim Harrington both had shots also and one off the post. It was 6-2 with 15 to go when Martin swung in a curling corner that found Jamie Daly to net his first of the season. Albion still pushed for another goal or two to save face but with the last kick of the game it was 7-2.

A disappointing but all too familiar exit at the later stage of a cup for the Albion who were let down not by the players who played but the lack of a team selection after a fantastic run in the past 2 months. On another night we would have given this Bohs team a good run out but not to be and a final chance for alot of the senior players to make Turners Cross you would feel.

Scorers: Noel ’55, Jamie ’75.

Team. Deccy, Darren, James, Colm, Jamie, Hugh, Noel, Martin, Duggy, Ronnie, Tim (Rob ’85).

Albion 2-1 Hibs

3 wins in 3 for a confident Albion side whos resilience shows no end at the moment. 1-0 down in 5 minutes after a nervy start and a possible foul on Colm O’Donovan by their striker in the lead up to the goal left them with a simple tap in. If the opening 15 minutes was anything to go by it looked as though they were in for a tough night! That they were, but the increase in effort with alot of tired legs leading into the game showed their willingness to fight as a team. Mike Walsh made 3 defining saves late in the first half to keep them in the game, though Albion had started creating some chances at the other end with Ronnie O’Driscoll holding the ball up well to allow others into play on the counter. 1-0 half time.

The second half was much the same though Albion did start pushing forward more in the search of an equaliser. There was a 10 minute spell where Hibs parked in Albions half and the defense had to endure wave after wave but stood well leading to no clear chance from Hibs. The midfield were beginning to get themselves under control and from here more chances came. A John Duggan free kick from inside the half found Ronnie O’Driscoll who held the defender off superbly and the bouncing ball was left for John Finn who finished fantastically up from the ground into the top corner. 1-1 with 10 to play. Albion pushed on again in search of the winner and when Ronnie hit the crossbar with time almost out it looked as though it wasn’t to be. Until, a moment of absolute magic from Noel Twomey. A throw in from Jamie Daly landed outside the box, Noel with a defender on his back and his back to goal flipped himself up and produced an over head kick sending the ball over the keeper and into the top corner. For a bunch of men, the celebrations were like an under 12 match, a pile on ensued and Noely was nowhere to be seen for at least 3 minutes. A fantastic victory all round. Best for Albion – Colm, Hugh, Ronnie.

Team. Walshy, Hugh, Darren, Jamie, Colm, John F, Noel, Martin, Duggy, Ronnie, Tim. Subs. Rob, James.

Albion 3-2 Southcoast FC

Albion survived a late scare after being 3-0 up to advance to the last 8 of the Corinthians Cup. They found themselves 1-0 up on 30 seconds when their keeper misjudged the oncoming Tim Harrington whose pressure was enough to force a mistake and grant himself a tap in. They were 2-0 up on the half hour mark when James O’Driscoll scored a beaut with a left footed half volley lobbing the keeper from 25 yards. Albion controlled the game mostly and were dominant in midfield with Southcoasts only threat coming from the wings. They did force a save from the right which Walshy tapped on to the crossbar to keep the score at 2-0 going into the break.

Albion were straight out of the blocks and made it 3-0 with fine work from Tim Harrington who set up Gavin Moloney for a tap in on 55′ to make it 3-0. Albion made a couple of changes with Darren Daly replacing brother Jamie at right full and Gearoid replacing Noel on the wing. Albion seemed to relax a bit rather than trying to finish the opponents off and when their winger made it 3-1 Southcoast started controlling the game with 15 to go and got their 2nd when 2 players were left free at a corner for a headed goal. They pushed on but Albion settled at the back and gave them very little opportunities to get the 3rd. A great 70 minutes from Albion but will be wary that switching off when in control almost cost them their season! Best on the day for Albion – Tim, Killian & Gavin.

Scorers: Tim Harrington, James O’Driscoll, Gavin Moloney

Team. Walshy, Jamie (Darren ’60), Colm, Deccy, Killian, Noel (Gearoid ’70), James, Martin, Gavin, Duggy, Tim.

Albion 2-0 Glenvale

Albion put in a massive 90 minute shift against league title favourites Glenvale in a fiery encounter at Eli Lilly last night. Expecting to not have the share of possession, Albion set themselves up right and for the opening twenty minutes were under pressure. They defended superbly and didnt give Glenvale much of a glance at goal. Glenvales closest chance came at the end of the first half though Mike Walsh made a fantastic save to keep the scores at 0-0.

The second half was much more positive from Albion, every players work rate was superb and they began to win the aerial battle against a physically much bigger and taller team. John Duggan was cleaning up in centre mid and Killian Moloney along with Deccy Murray, Colm O’Donovan and Jamie Daly were all putting in top notch performances at the back. Hugh Connell grew into the game and didnt stop hassling their full back and winger. Albions break came on 70mins when John Duggan let fly from 30 yards with a cross goal shot that ended up top corner – a definite contender for goal of the season. One thing is for sure, Duggy doesn’t do tap-ins! Glenvale pushed forward but couldnt break the back 4. Then with 5 minutes to go a fantastic through ball from Gavin Moloney allowed Tim Harrington through to lob the keeper for his 20th goal of the season. Albion then switched to two holding midfielders to see out the game. A great performance start to finish from all involved. Stand out performances from Killian Moloney, John Duggan & Colm O’Donovan.

Scorers: John Duggan ’70, Tim Harrington ’85.

Team: Walshy, Jamie, Colm, Deccy (Darren ’83), Hugh, Noel (Gearoid ’75), Martin, Gavin, Duggy, Tim. Subs: Conor, Ronnie, James.

Albion 2-3 Grangevale

A disappointing end to a decent streak for Albion at Eli lilly when Grangevale beat them 3-2. Albion were 2-0 up after 10 mins when Tim Harrington brought his tally to 19 goals for the season – 2 more than last year with at least 6 games to go. Grangevale had it 2-2 before the break and struck to win 3-2 before the end.

A flat performance from the Albion lads who made themselves look very very ordinary.

Team. Walshy, Ger, Darren (Colm ’70), Deccy, Jamie, Hugh, Noel, Martin (James ’70), Duggy, Gearoid (Rob ’60), Tim.

Albion 9-1 Innishvilla

Albion continued winning ways against Innishvilla though the opening minutes suggested there was a battle to be had as Villa pressed from the off. They seemed to hit self destruct as Hugh Connell tapped in from Gearoid Collins’ hard work. Collins had Albion 2-0 up after a sublime ball through from Tim Harrington. Harrington made it 3-0 when he struck after a corner spilled and was left unmarked. It was 4-0 when Ryan hit a corner which the keeper struggled with a left the ball for Collins to get his 2nd.

Villa struck back after slack marking allowed their centre half with a half volley goal just before the break. That was to be their last chance of the game as Albion ran riot in the second half. Three goals in four minutes had Albion 7-1 up after a great stricke from Gavin Moloney and doubled his goal tally a minute later. Tim Harrington then struck to make it 7-1. It was 8-1 when Gearoid Collins got his hat-trick with an outside of the foot strike. It was 9-1 on 70 minutes when Tim Harrington raced on to a bouncing ball and headed over the keeper. The ref blew up on 75 mins.

Team. Walshy, Darren (Dan ’60), Colm, Jamie, Killian, Duggy, Hugh, Martin (Ger ’55), Gavin, Tim.

Updated Table

Murphy’s Irish Stout League 2
Pld W D L GF GA Pts
Glenthorn Celtic B 14 9 1 3 30 20 28
Glenvale 10 8 0 2 27 10 24
Dunbar Celtic 11 8 0 3 27 17 21
Hibernians 9 6 0 3 23 15 18
De Courcey Albion 9 4 1 4 24 15 13
Carrigtwohill Utd 11 4 1 6 19 19 13
Grangevale 10 4 0 6 17 24 12
Hillington 11 2 0 9 14 36 6
Innishvilla B 11 1 1 9 11 31 4