De Courcey Albion slipped up this weekend and missed a chance to open a gap at the top of the table by going down 2-1 to Parkview Celtic at Crossbarry. Parkview started as the much more determened side and seemed to dominate all over the park. Albion created little in the opening period and found themselves a goal down on 30′ after a scrappy clearance was played back in, the Parkview winger did extremely well to keep the ball in and the striker had little left to do but tap the ball in. This seemed to wake Albion up slightly as there was more urgency in their play for the last 5 minutes before half time. HT 1-0.
Albion went gung-ho in the 2nd half, every chance that was created was an Albion chance with Rob Daly impressing with his skill & John Hipwell, Conan Dillon & James O’Driscoll taking over in midfield. John Duggan was starting to give the Parkview defenders serious headaches feeding Rob Daly with some great play. 15 minutes into the half James O’Driscoll won a free kick just inside the half way line, John Hipwell swung in a perfect ball from which Rob Daly got a touch to bring his league goal tally to 5 from 6 for the striker. Albion didn’t sit back to hold out for the draw, they went on the attack again and created chance after chance from which they were unlucky not to convert. With 10 minutes left a mix up at the back saw Declan Murray 1 on 1 with the Parkview striker, he made a great sliding save from which the Parkview man calmly slotted the ball into an open goal. 2-1 full time score.
A dissappointing result for Albion, but they will take alot of positives from a resiliant 2nd half display. A small set back, but a long way to go in what has been a very good season for the Courcey men so far.
Team: Declan Murray (GK), Ger O’Connel (RB), Conor Hurley (LB), Colm O’Donovan (CB), David Butler (CB), JP Hayes (RW), John Duggan (LW), James O’Driscoll (CM), Conan Dillon (CM), John Hipwell (CM), Rob Daly (S).
Subs: Noel Twomey (JP Hayes 65′), Cian Walsh, Colum Walsh, Jody MacNamara, Kevin O’Neill, Darren Daly.