De Courcey Albion were held at home sunday past by the resiliant Fermoy outfit, Cork Road Celtic. Both teams shared brief spells in a very stop/start first half which saw both keepers with little to do. John Duggan, making his first appearance since last season, woke the game up with 5 minutes to the break when he rattled the upright from a free kick.

The 2nd half saw Albion lift their tempo and had created 4/5 chances in the opening 5 minutes to put the away side under pressure. Colm O’Donovan was winning 100% in the air at the back & Conan Dillon was making his presence known in the centre of the park. On 55′ John Duggan played through to Conan Dillon in the centre & laid the ball off quickly to Jody MacNamara. MacNamara then crossed the ball finding the right foot of John Hipwell who was standing on the edge of the 18 yard box, facing away from the goal he turned and volleyed the ball into the top left hand corner – a likely candidate for goal of the season even this early on. Albion didnt sit back & defend their lead, they went on the search of the winning goal. Shane Horan came on replacing Jason O’Riordan and almost doubled Albions lead with a glancing header from which the opposing keeper made a great save. With 10 minutes to go Albion conceded a corner & then conceded a goal when 2 Cork Road players found themselves free heading into the net. 1-1. Albion still created but couldnt make it count and pick up a point to leave their opening 5 games WDWLD.

HT: 0-0

Scorer – John Hipwell

Team Michael Walsh, Jody MacNamara, Conor Hurley, Colm O’Donovan, Colum Walsh, Jason O’Riordan, James O’Driscoll, Conan Dillon, J ohn Duggan, John Hipwell, Noel Twomey.

Subs: Shane Horan (Jason O’Riordan ’60)