Zach Tuohy (right - head down) with his Carlton teammates after today's defeat. @CarltonFC @CarltonFC

LAOIS NATIVE ZACH Tuohy nailed a 50m attempt at goal in Carlton’s Australian Football League season opener earlier today but his team fell to a 27-point loss at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Carlton exploded from the blocks to be in front 31-15 after the opening quarter with Tuohy amongst their goalscorers.

But Richmond recovered to go in front 52-45 at half-time and it all fell apart for Carlton in the second-half as Richmond ran out 105-78 winners.

25 year-old Tuohy is now an established member of the Carlton side and today’s tie was his 77th game for the club as he played at centre back.

Fellow Irish player Ciaran Sheehan was unavailable today due to a groin injury. Louth’s Ciaran Byrne, who played 14 VFL games last year for Northern Blues, is still yet to make his AFL debut but is tipped to do so this year after a strong pre-season.

Next up for Carlton is a clash against the West Coast Eagles in Round 2 on Friday 10 April in Perth.

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