Timmons and Walker to the fore as Graiguecullen defeat Killeshin to seal semi-final spot

Graiguecullen have joined Portlaoise and Portarlington in the semi-finals of the Laois Senior Football Championship after two first-half goals proved crucial in their victory over Killeshin in today's quarter-final contest in Laois Hire O'Moore Park.

A goal and three points each from Mark Timmons and Lee Walker put Graiguecullen on their way as Killeshin couldn't muster up a comeback in the second-half. Graiguecullen will find out their semi-final opponents after the final quarter-game between St Joseph's and Emo.

Graiguecullen 2-10

Killeshin 0-12

Graiguecullen wasted no time in raising the game's first white flag as Mark Timmons got the ball rolling inside the opening minute, their lead was soon increased as Lee Walker opened his account. Killeshin's opening score of the contest came from the left boot of goalkeeper Killian Roche as he slotted over a free. Eoin Brennan leveled the sides after seven minutes as he pointed from play.

The next score would be a crucial one for Graiguecullen as Jack Byrne teed up Timmons to rattle the back of the Killeshin net. Aaron Forbes added to Graiguecullen's lead with a point directly after Timmons' goal as they won the resulting kick-out. Adam Deering kicked Killeshin's third point of the contest as they looked to gain a foothold in the game.

Timmons was immense for Graiguecullen as the number six kicked another two points to take his tally to 1-2 after 14 minutes. Byrne was to the fore again as he assisted his second goal of the first-half, this time he passed to Walker and he made no mistake in drilling the ball beyond Roche and into the bottom corner.

Killeshin to their credit responded well to the second goal as they kicked the final three scores of the first period. Evan and Eoin Lowry kicked a point each from a placed ball while Roche took his tally to two points from another free to leave five between the sides at the break.

The second-half began the same way as the first as Adam Deering split the posts within the first minute of the half. Conor Kelly then pointed from a free to push Graiguecullen back into a five-point lead. Eoin Lowry got his second score of the game as he replied for Killeshin with 20 minutes left to play. Brennan soon took his tally to two points as only three points separated the sides with the game in the melting pot.

Conor Kelly kept the scoreboard ticking for Graiguecullen as he got his second point of the second-half. Roche replied with a free of his own as the Killeshin goalkeeper kicked his third point of the game. Lee Walker replied instantly for Graiguecullen as they were doing well to keep Killeshin at bay as they led by four with 52 minutes played. Their advantage was reduced to three again as Evan Lowry slotted over a free.

Another free followed for Evan Lowry as two points separated the sides before Walker kept Graiguecullen ticking over with his third point to add to his earlier goal. The final score of the game came courtesy of Ben Dorgan as Graiguecullen secured their semi-final place with a four-point victory.