Walker leads the way as Graiguecullen set up semi-final with Portarlington

Graiguecullen have booked their place in the semi-finals of the Laois Shopping Centre Senior Football Championship after defeating neighbours Killeshin for the third year in succession at the quarter-final stage on Sunday afternoon.

The latest instalment of this local rivalry lived up to its billing, with big scores, patches of dominance from both sides, and a rousing finish that eventually saw Graiguecullen pull clear. Despite the wind, which played a huge role in the ebb and flow of the contest, the teams could not be separated at half-time, leaving everything to play for in the second-half. Ultimately, it was Graiguecullen’s goals and their ability to step up in the decisive final quarter that proved the difference.

Killeshin played with the breeze at their backs in the opening 30 minutes and were quick out of the traps. In fact, only 18 seconds had elapsed when Mick Doran split the posts from distance, his long-range effort sailing high and true to raise the game’s first orange flag. Jack Byrne responded almost immediately with Graiguecullen’s opener, but Killeshin quickly reasserted themselves. Goalkeeper Killian Roche clipped over a two-pointer from play to nudge them in front again.

That, however, sparked Graiguecullen’s first real burst. In a devastating four-minute spell, they struck 2-1 to take command. The first goal came when Dicey O’Reilly showed great awareness and composure to finish to the net. Two minutes later, Graiguecullen had a second goal. Jack Byrne’s initial effort was blocked, but Lee Walker reacted quickest at the back post, tapping the ball into an empty net. Walker, now brimming with confidence, added a point soon after, and suddenly Graiguecullen had daylight.

To their credit, Killeshin were not rattled. Instead, they responded in style, piecing together their best spell of the half. Five points in a row from David Aston (free), Conor Heffernan, Evan Lowry (free), Adam Deering and Eoin Lowry restored their momentum and turned the scoreboard back in their favour. They were now one point up with 21 minutes gone, and the game had all the makings of a classic.

The closing stages of the half were tit-for-tat. Walker, who was proving a constant thorn in Killeshin’s defence, kicked two more scores for Graiguecullen, one of them a well-taken two-point free. At the other end, Evan English calmly slotted two fine efforts for Killeshin to keep them level. By the time the whistle sounded for half-time, the sides were deadlocked at 2-5 to 0-11, perfectly setting up the second half.

Now with the wind in their favour, Graiguecullen wasted little time in pressing their advantage. Kian Lawlor opened their account after the restart with a neat point before the crucial third goal arrived. Half-back Mikie Horohan, breaking forward with purpose, found himself in space and hammered the ball past Roche in the Killeshin goal. It was a statement score, and it gave Graiguecullen the cushion they had been seeking.

But just as in the first half, Killeshin produced a purple patch to claw their way back. Evan Lowry pointed a free before Jack Milton, Roche (also from a free), and Aston added a free to wipe out the deficit. Once again, the sides were level, the contest finely poised, and both sets of supporters urging their teams forward.

It was in the final 15 minutes, however, that Graiguecullen showed their championship credentials. With leaders stepping up all over the pitch, they reeled off five points without reply. Brian Byrne landed a big score to settle the nerves, Trevor Collins split the posts after a strong run, substitute Ben Dorgan made an impact with a point, Walker added to his personal tally, and veteran Mark Timmons capped off the spell with another. Those scores effectively killed off Killeshin’s challenge.

Killeshin, to their credit, never gave up. They pressed hard for a goal in the closing stages, but Graiguecullen’s defence stood tall. The last action of the game saw Evan Lowry convert a free to reduce the gap, but it was no more than consolation as the final whistle followed immediately.

Graiguecullen now march on to the semi-finals, where they will renew their rivalry with reigning champions Portarlington. It will be the second year in a row that the sides meet at that stage. Interestingly, Graiguecullen have already beaten Port in this year’s championship, just as they did in 2024, but on that occasion, Port gained revenge when it mattered most in the semi-final. Graiguecullen will be desperate to ensure history does not repeat itself this time around.

FINAL SCORE

Graiguecullen 3-11

Killeshin 0-16

SCORERS– Graiguecullen: Lee Walker 1-5 (one two-point free), Danny O’Reilly and Mikie Horohan 1-0 each, Kian Lawlor, Ben Dorgan, Mark Timmons, Trevor Collins, Brian Byrne and Jack Byrne 0-1 each. Killeshin: Killian Roche (one two-pointer, 0-1 free) and Evan Lowry (frees) 0-3 each, Mick Doran (two-pointer), Evan English and David Aston (frees) 0-2 each, Jack Milton, Eoin Lowry, Adam Deering and Conor Heffernan 0-1 each.

GRAIGUECULLEN: Craig Doyle; Sean McGrath, Danny McGrath, Kian Lawlor; Mikie Horohan, Trevor Collins, Brian Byrne; Jamie Sheehan, Mark Timmons; Daniel O’Reilly, Lee Walker, Jack Byrne; Ross Hennessy, Aaron Forbes, Aaron Cullen. Subs: Ben Dorgan for Cullen (41 mins), Aidan Bradley for O’Reilly (48 mins), Conor Kelly for Sheehan (53 mins), Luke Aylsbury for Horohan (55 mins), Chris Hurley for Hennessy (57 mins)

KILLESHIN: Killian Roche; James Davis, Daragh Mac Donald, Brendan Mac Donald; Leeson Hughes, Eoin Brennan, David Aston; Cathal Byrne, Conor Heffernan; Jack Milton, Eoin Lowry, Evan Lowry; Evan English, Adam Deering, Mick Doran. Subs: Jack Brennan for B Mac Donald (45 mins), Paddy Doyle for Byrne (48 mins), Michael Gaffney for Aston (56 mins).

Referee: Seamus Mulhare (The Heath)