On behalf of everyone involved with De Courcey Albion, we would like to thank David O’Donovan for his management of the team since August of this year. David brought fantastic ideas & fitness sessions to the club which we will use as a positive moving forward. However, after a disappointing start to the season, David and the club have agreed to part ways. Albion will look to kick on this Sunday against Shandon Celtic, which Martin Ryan will take temporary charge of.

Albions miserable start to their league campaign continued with a 2-1 loss to Blackpool Celtic at home in Ballinadee. Albion started well and seemed to dominate play in the opening 20 minutes, but Blackpool slowly crept back into the game as their 5 man midfield started to over run Albions 4. Neither teams had any clear cut chance in the first half though Albion will feel they deserved at least a one goal lead going in at the break.

Blackpool came out the hungrier of the two in the second half and opened the scoring when a mix up between defence and keeper left Blackpools striker with a simple tap in. They were 2-0 up when their winger beat Walsh to the ball and fired past Colm O’Donovan on the line. Albion switched to 3-5-2 and with the introduction of Jamie Daly & Mike O’Connell they started playing more direct ball. They were back in the game when Japs’ corner was met by Blackpools keeper who punched the ball out, Mart Ryan met it outside the box with a half volley that ended up in the top corner. 2-1. Blackpool saw out the remaining 10 minutes to leave with all 3 points.

Worrying signs for Albion whos failure to dominate midfield has left them looming all too close to the relegation zone.

Team. Walsh, D Daly, J McNamara (O’Connell ’60), Murray, O’Donovan, Hayes, O’Donnell, Ryan (O’Hare ’81), Twomey, El-Sahen (J Daly ’60), B Dillon. Subs. D Coleman.

Darren Daly has been named Albions man of the match for his performance vs Ballinhassig.

Albion took all 3 points from local derby encounter with Ballinhassig. Albion took control early on, though at times made hard work of attacking plays. Switching to 3-5-2 for the game the back 3 never looked in trouble but at times in the opening stages were slightly stretched. Albion opened the scoring when James O’Driscolls throw in found Martin Ryan whose shot luckily deflected off the defenders shin on the way. They were soon 2-0 up through Martin El-Sahen when O’Driscolls cross deflected high leaving him with a goal line bicycle kick (or so he says) more of a tap in to the rest of us. 2-0 at half time.

Albion improved slightly in the second half with Rob Daly, James O’Driscoll & Conan Dillon all creating chances and having chances themselves. Martin Ryan was unlucky not to make it 3-0 when his free kick rattled the crossbar. Rob Daly did get on the scoresheet when a goal mouth scramble fell to his feet and he slotted home. Daly, on another day, could have had a hat-trick as Albion created more chances as the game went on.

Overall, a flat performance but 3 points nonetheless.

Team. Walsh, D Daly, Murray, O’Donovan, Ryan (McNamara ’85), Hayes, O’Driscoll, O’Connell (Dillon ’45), El-Sahen (J Daly ’70), B Dillon, R Daly. Sub. O’Hare.

Every couple of weeks we will look at back at ex players from season past. This week – Seamus “Famous” O’Callaghan. Seamus started his illustrious career at Albion in the ’08/’09 season when Albion recruited a handful of local young fellas to help their drive to AUL Division 3 domination. O’Callaghan quickly found his way into the starting line up every week after some impressive displays at Centre Mid and on the wing. Renowned for his calm head on the pitch and his willingness to co-operate when things were going against him, he was unlucky not to pick up a medal when Albion finally got promoted in 2011 after moving to Canada in Sept 2010. His most famous of moments that will forever go down in the history of the club as the best yellow card incident ever was an ankle tap on a player (with his hand a-la Peter Stringeresque) to which the ref looked at Albions bench and said “I don’t even know what I’m supposed to give for that, I’ve never seen it in soccer before”. Another milestone was in 2009 when he had racked up 5 yellow cards in 5 games. The league disciplinarian called Albions manager to discuss his antics. Albions manager explained “It’s late tackles with no malice, he’s a nice fella” to which the AUL man replied “he might be a nice fella, but he has no f**kin’ brains on the pitch”. Yes, Seamus brought some highlights to the club but on a serious note was one of the better players that has togged out over the last 6-7 seasons. A huge loss to the club but always welcome back as he’s still at the young age of 28/29! I’m sure we can convince him to give up the Canadian dream for cold wet Sunday morning trips to Milstreet and beyond!

1 point from a possible 9 at home sees Albion on their worst home run in the last few seasons. Always on top and in complete control of posession, Albion found it hard in the final third creating very little to trouble Rathcoole. Tim Harrington came close in the opening stages after being put through by Martin Ryan in centre mid. Ryan followed up with a shot from out side the box that whizzed just over the top left. James O’Driscoll and Darren Daly were both busy full backs attacking quite regularly as most of the play was in Rathcooles half. On 25 mins against the run of play, Colm O’Donovan lost possession in the corner, the ball was sent in to the unmarked midfielder who finished past Mike Walsh. Taking the ball out of the net after 25 mins was one of Walshs first touches. Albion then came close again when Ryans free kick looked to be swooping in to the top left but the keeper was alive to save. 1-0 half time.

The second half was more of the same though Rathcoole did create one or two chances. The closest Albion came was through Ben Dillon who hit the crossbar from a close range effort, Rob Daly was only able to scuffle the rebound. Tim Harrington got his marching orders on a second yellow (both yellows were scandalous), something the club will appeal in the coming days. To add insult to injury from the resulting foul, Harrington will be out for a minimum 4 weeks after getting a cast on his foot with very heavy bruising to his foot.

All in all a very disappointing day at the office for Albion, who are yet to find their feet this season. A lack of full effort yesterday and decision making cost them a result.

Team: Walsh, D Daly, J O’Driscoll, C O’Donovan, D Murray (J McNamara ’80), Hayes, El-Sahen (J Daly ’60), B Dillon, Ryan (O’Connell ’78), R Daly, Harrington.

Rob Daly was Albions best in the 3-2 defeat vs Watergrasshill.

Albion were knocked out of the Saxone Cup the first time of asking for the 3rd year running after a poor performance against an average Watergrasshill side. Watergrasshill dominated the first half zipping the ball left to right causing problems through the centre. They went 1-0 up on 15 mins after a high ball over the defenders wasn’t dealt with, the striker hit a right foot shot past an out of position Ryan in goal. Albions passing attempts weren’t happening and the manager tried ringing changes early on as he introduced Ben Dillon on 30 mins for Jamie Daly. Watergrasshill went 2-0 up on 31 mins when their left winger was given way too much time to put his shot in though once again could have been dealt with better by the keeper. From the kick off Tim Harrington spotted the Watergrasshill keeper off his line and lobbed him from the half way line to make it 2-1. 5 minutes before the break JP Hayes had Albion level after breaking through past the defender and finishing past the keeper. From the resulting tip off, Albion were found asleep in all departments allowing Watergrasshills winger to break down the right and shoot past Ryan once more to make it 3-2 going in at half time.

Albion improved slightly in the second half but mistakes crept in along with poor passing, poor decision making and not much to offer in the line of going forward late on. A few chance came but Watergrasshill looked the more likely side to score again.

A disappointing result & performance after a great away win last weekend. Albion are still looking for their first home victory this season.

Team: Ryan, McNamara (O’Connell ’81), O’Driscoll, Murray, O’Donovan, Hayes (Walsh ’45), El-Sahen, Twomey, R Daly, J Daly (Dillon ’30), Harrington.

Evening Echos man of the match was Tim Harrington, Albion managers man of the match was Martin El-Sahen so 1 pt each for these lads here.

Albion climbed out of the bottom 3 yesterday with a hard earned 3-2 victory away against a resiliant Blackpool Celtic. Albion continued to start games looking nervy with Blackpool doing much of the pressing and attacking at any chance given. Blackpool went 1-0 up on 20 minutes after a through ball reached their striker who shot low and into the bottom corner. Albion created little in the first half where as Blackpool kept pressing looking for a second. Albion managed to keep it to just 1 goal down at half time.

Albion scored early in the second half after a clever floating free kick by James O’Driscoll found Martin El-Sahen for the equaliser. Blackpool immediately responded with a goal direct from a free kick though keeper Ryan could have done better at his attempt to keep it out. Albion were back to 2-2 5 minutes later when a scramble led to the ball hitting the post, the Blackpool full back sliced a clearance and the ball ended up in the back of the net. On 70 mins Tim Harrington scored the winner after Rob Dalys assist landed to Tim Harrington who lashed the ball low and left past the helpless keeper. Blackpool piled the pressure on but couldn’t find a clear cut chance to bring themselves back level. A huge 3 points for the Courcey men, who are yet to find their niche but will take a well earned win over Blackpool Celtic. Noel Twomey, Martin El-Sahen & Tim Harrington best for Albion.

Team. M Ryan, D Daly, J Daly (D Wise ’80), C O’Donovan, D Murray, JP Hayes (J McNamara ’65), M El-Sahen, N Twomey, J O’Driscoll, R Daly, T Harrington.