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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.

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

Glenthorn 2-2 Albion

A fantastic away draw against title contenders Glenthorn Celtic builds on a growing confidence for De Courcey Albion who are now 3 games unbeaten in the league. 7 points from 9 sees them climb to 5th in the table. A tough encounter where the Blackpool men had the majority of possession but Albion had the better chances. Missing 5 starters from the last game the Courcey men can be given 10/10 for effort. A decent opening 30 mins saw a few chances fall to Rob Daly but he failed to capitalize. Glenthorn pushed with their number 6 pulling the strings and opening gaps in the back 4 but they had no clear cut chance to take the lead in the first half. 0-0 HT.

The second half was alot livelier as Albion did away with a holding mid and decided to push for a goal. The goal came on 70 mins as Rob Daly was fouled on the far right of the box. John Duggan stepped up and sent the ball into the top left corner. A peach of a goal! Unfortunately Albion switched off and conceded straight away from a header. 1-1 with 17 left to play. Glenthorn were getting desperate as they were shooting from distance, unable to break the back 4 down. Albion spurned a huge opportunity with 3 minutes left as Rob Daly rounded the keeper, the ball spilled to Noel Twomey who had more time than he thought and he toepoked just wide. All looked lost 1 minute into injury time as Glenthorn got what looked to be a winner sending their team & sideline into errupted celebrations. The celebrations were short lived as John DUggan latched onto a perfect assist from Rob Daly and volleyed home. 2-2 final score.

Team. Walshy, Conor (Dan ’65), Darren, Jamie, Colm, Hugh, Noel, Martin, Ger, Duggy, Rob.

Grangevale 1-3 Albion

Another dominant performance from the Courcey boys makes it 6 points in 2 games after a good 3-1 away win at 5 Mile last Thursday. Dominant from the start, Tim Harrington had an early chance scuppered as he raced onto a through ball which saw him falling short, literally, to watch to ball hobble an inch wide of the post. 2 minutes later Harringtons low driven shot scraped the outside of the post and wide. Albion were showing signs of an onslaught as the half wore on. Grangevales threat was coming from the left wing in their Croatian star who was causing some trouble for Jamie Daly in the opening minutes. Daly composed himself and took charge linking well with Noel Twomey on the right. Gearoid Collins seemed to be ever present in attacking mid as he linked with both centre mids and wingers, patiently waiting for the move to lay it on a plate for Tim up front. That chance came 30 minutes in as Gavin Moloney played the ball off early to Martin Ryan who lobbed the ball over the centre halves and got Harrington clear to finish passed the helpless keeper. Grangevales Croat was their hero just before the half as he scored a spectacular free kick right in the top corner. Mike Walsh was at hand to keep the scores at 1-1 just before the interval.

Albion started the second with more purpose and it paid off as Gavin Moloney was once again instrumental in creating the chance for Tim to go through on goal, though this time taken out of it by the on-coming keeper. Penalty! Harringtons effort was low and light, too light – which gifted the keeper the save. He parried it and it bounced to the feet of Ryan who hit over from 10 yards. Albion did make it 2-1 as John Duggan played the ball on to Gavin Moloney who chipped the keeper for a lovely finish. It was 3-1 5 minutes later out of no where as John Duggan scored a beaut from 25 yards in the top corner. Albion finished strong with a great night from the back four of J Daly, O’Donovan, Murray and K Moloney.

Scorers: Harrington, G Moloney, Duggan.

Team. Walshy, Jamie, Colm (Darren ’70), Deccy, Killian, Noel (Hugh ’75), Duggy, Martin, Gavin, Gearoid (Ger ’75), Timmy. Subs. Conor M, Rob.

Innishvilla 0-6 Albion

A run-away victory for the Courcey men in this local Derby against Innishvilla in League 2 action. A flat 1st half performance where Albion were unable to take hold of the game in all departments but still found themselves 1-0 up at half time through a Timmy Harrington goal where a superb assist from John Duggan & Gearoid Collins combining proved pivotal on the half hour mark. A half of few chances for either team Innishvilla probably shaded possession but Albion looked more assured on the ball than their rivals.

Albion were 2-0 up on the 46min mark though Tim Harrington where a Killian Moloney clearance found the striker who ran through and finished passed the on-coming keeper. It was 3-0 when Harrington was taken down inside the box and converted to wrap up his first of two hat-tricks on the night. He soon made it 4-0 after a lovely through ball from Gavin Moloney set him on his way once again. Chances were had also by Gavin Moloney, Gearoid Collins & John Finn. Martin Ryan should have had them 5-0 up when put through by Gavin 1 on 1 with the keeper but the shot was saved and went out for a corner. Ryan assisted Harrington 2 minutes later to make it 5 after a brilliant team goal from the back where 5 players were involved in the goal – Killian – Darren – John – Gearoid – Martin who played it through to Tim. Tim had his 2nd hat trick when Gavin Moloney was taken down in the box and Harrington converted to make it 6-0.

A great win but the team must move on to Carrigtwohill to keep the momentum going. Great performances all round.

Team: Walshy, Darren (Ger ’70), Jamie (Conor M ’70), Killian, Colm, John F (Hugh ’60), John D, Martin, Gavin, Gearoid, Tim.

Park United 6-1 Albion

4 months since our last competitive game on grass, and our 1st game back was a hammering to the hands of a decent Park United side. In fact, it became obvious after 5 minutes that the Mitchelstown side were fitter, sharper and after alot more game time than the Courcey men. Albion welcomed back Colm O’Donovan who’s last game for the club was the end of April 2015 and also Ger O’Connell who’s last game for the club came in a 4-1 win over Strand United 2 seasons ago. Just the bare 11 showing, the opening 10 minutes gave indication that Albion would be under pressure for the entire 90. A deflection off Martin Ryans foot was too much of an ask for Mike Walsh to keep out for Parks 1st goal, their second would be in similar fashion this time a much harsher deflection off Declan Murrays head from a free kick to send Walshy the wrong way. Albions closest chance to a goal came from a John Duggan free kick where the keeper parried it to Noel Twomey who then struck the woodwork. 2-0 half time.

The second half was to be a more positive half for Albion but once again unfortunate goals would be their downfall, a bobble costing the 3rd and a clear offside costing the 4th, John Duggan replied with an outstanding left footed flick up and turned volley into the top right to make it 4-1. Parks final 2 goals came as Albion had 3 at the back pushing for another goal but caught out on the counter with both goals.

A disappointing day for Albion, but they cant compalin as they were outplayed start to finish. The huge winter break has been a complete disaster but they can only improve from here.

Team. Walshy, Darren, Colm, Deccy, Jamie, Dan, Noel, Martin, Ger, Duggy, Rob.

Albion 1-4 Kinsale

Albion went down 4-1 to local rivals & Munster Senior League outfit Kinsale in a scrappy affair on the all-weather surface in Carrigaline. The Courcey lads started quite well holding off any early pressure and making some good moves forward. On 10mins a huge blow as one of Albions longer serving players JP Hayes went down under a 50/50 challenge and seemed in serious distress. After being taken to A&E an x-ray showed he had broken his femur (thigh) bone. A lengthy spell on the side will follow and we all wish his a speedy recovery.

Albions heads must have dropped off from here as they ended the half 4-0 down, a brace from Derek McCarthy and alot of hassle on the left from Sean Lyons proved a nightmare to deal with for the back 4. The half time talk was mainly based on closing ball off from the wings and pressing Kinsales defence from the front, this worked wonders in the opening 15 as Albion strung some lovely attacking moves together aswell as holding off any pressure. John Duggan came closest early in the second half with a shot that didnt overly trouble Kinsales keeper. Sean Lyons once again looked to be causing trouble but Mike Walsh was up to the task with a low save to his left. Lyons will feel hard done by not to have been awarded a penalty after he was taken down by the last man with just the keeper to beat, the ref waved play on. Albion got a goal back after a fantastic move from Jamie Daly who burst forward and delivered a cross which was met with Derry Gregs head, a great headed goal that took Kinsale by surprise. There was little pressure to deal with for the remainder of the half and the game finished 4-1.

A good run out after 3 months without a game for both local teams.

Team. Mike Walsh (GK), Conor Moloney (RB), James O’Driscoll (LB), Declan Murray (CB), Killian Moloney (CB), JP Hayes (LW), Noel Twomey (RW), Martin Ryan (CM), Gavin Moloney (CM), Gearoid Collins (AMC), Ronan Nyhan (FW). Subs. Jamie Daly (on ’45), Darren Daly (on ’45), Derry Greg (on ’45), John Duggan (on ’10).

2016

A huge backlog in fixtures is building due to poor weather in November/December. We haven’t kicked a ball since October and looking forward it may well be the end of Jan by the time the weather improves. However training for 2016 begins this Tuesday at Saile where we look to improve on our last 3 results, any unsigned players who wish to train/signup please feel free to contact any club member.

Happy New Year to all!!