Byrne the match-winner as Graiguecullen defeat county champions St Joseph's

Graiguecullen have pulled off the first shock of this year’s Senior Football Championship with a one-point victory over champions St Joseph’s in the Centre of Excellence this evening.

There was plenty of late drama in Portlaoise as St Joseph’s held a one-point lead from the 46th minute right into injury time, but they were just nabbed on the line as Graiguecullen dug deep to find two vital scores right at the death with Brian Byrne kicking a monster score to claim the win.

GRAIGUECULLEN 0-9

ST JOSEPH'S 0-8

St Joseph’s reverted to defensive tactics in hopes of holding on to their lead, and it seemed as though Graiguecullen were going to be left to rue two missed goal chances and two missed 45's in the second half until the late heroics. The victors were arguably the better side throughout the whole contest, but the sides were level at half time after a couple of late scores from Graiguecullen to make five points apiece at the break.

Michael Keogh kicked two scores from play in the first half, including the opening one on four minutes and two frees from Eoghan O’Flaherty and one from play by Josh O’Brien saw them two ahead as half time approached. Graiguecullen battled late in the half to level things up with a free from Conor Kelly and Brian Byrne’s second of the half on the end of a great team move.

Keogh kicked a brace early in the second half to put St Joseph’s two to the good, a lead which they would spend the remainder of the half trying to secure rather than add to as they allowed Graiguecullen much of the possession.

A brace of scores from Kelly brought Graiguecullen back to within a point as the game approached the final quarter, with O’Flaherty slotting a free in between. Graiguecullen spent 15 minutes chasing down an all important equaliser before eventually getting it from a Kelly free as the clock ticked into injury time.

To their credit, Graiguecullen refused to accept a draw and extra-time so they pressed for a winner which they found from the boot of the majestic Brian Byrne from the 45 as his shot just crept inside the upright to secure a huge win for his side.