carroll was then signed up for the first team for the 2011 season, given the number 19 shirt. carroll's first game for the senior team was a 3–0 win in a friendly away to drogheda united at hunky dorys park on 13 february 2011 and his first competitive game for the first team was at home to dublin rivals shamrock rovers in the league cup, a game in which the saints won 3–1 on penalties after the scores were level at 1–1 after 120 minutes. his first league game came in a 5–2 win over galway united in which carroll provided a wonderful assist for daryl kavanagh to score. carroll's first goal for st pat's came in an fai cup third-round tie with crumlin united when he curled in a superb free-kick to make it 3–0, he capped a great night for him by winning the man of the match award. after his performances, he was highly praised throughout the national media, in newspapers, on television and on the internet. carroll had his first taste of europa league action when he came on for the final 18 minutes of the third qualifying round tie away to fc karpaty lviv of ukraine. carroll was part of the pats' side that won the 2010-11 leinster senior cup against dublin rivals bohemians, ending the club's trophy drought that went back to 2003. the left back won the man of the match award after a great display in a 2–0 win at dalymount park. he only managed 7 appearances in the league and 14 in all competitions in 2011 due to the excellent form of first choice left-back ian bermingham.