De Courcey Albion suffered their 1st defeat in the new season last night in a tough away encounter against a very strong Carrigtwohill side. Albion started on the back foot, though they had to contend with a very questionable pitch surface. Carrigtwohill used their space well playing a very good & controlled passing game. Albion created little chances in the first half with Rob Daly coming closest to opening the score. H-T: 0-0

The second half started well for Albion who started using the flanks more & used it to their advantage during a couple of good attacking movements. On 55 mins Carrigtwohill exploited a low kick out that was miscontrolled & fell straight to their striker who finished well with a great strike to put the ball passed Walsh in goal into the top left. Carrigtwohill kept the pressure on as they looked for a 2nd to kill the game. Albion were struggling to deal with the rock hard surface in parts but still created some nice passing to keep the hopes alive of an equalizer. The last 10 minutes Albion piled the pressure on changing to a 3-4-3. James O’Driscoll, who made his first appearance since May, came closest after coming on when the Carrig keeper made a great save to keep the home team in the lead. Declan Murray also came close with minutes left on the clock. Carrig held out for the win to give themselves 3 points.

Some positives from the game for Albion was the return of James O’Driscoll. The addition to the squad to one of last seasons stars, Noel Twomey & the welcoming back to the squad of David Butler.

Albion will take this defeat on the chin as they put the defeat behind them and now look to the AOH Cup 1st round tie against premier side Bohemians.

HT: 0-0

Team: Michael Walsh, Ger O’Connell, Conor Hurley, Colum Walsh, Colm O’Donovan, Declan Murray, Conan Dillon, Jason O’Riordan, Seamus O’Callaghan, John Hipwell, Rob Daly

Subs: JP Hayes (Jason O’Riordan 60′), James O’Driscoll (Ger O’Connell 80′) – Not Used: Jody MacNamara, Kevin O’Neill, Noel Twomey, Darren Daly, Wayne Carroll, David Butler, Jamie Daly, Ronan O’Driscoll