Graiguecullen 2-11
Killeshin 0-15
Graiguecullen lived dangerously but just about held on to see off neighbours Killeshin in the Laois Senior Football Championship at O’Moore Park last night.
A David Aston inspired Killeshin side made all the early inroads and they went 0-5 to 0-2 in front early on with Aston, Cathal Brennan (2) and Eoin Lowry finding the range as Ian Fleming and Ambrose Doran raised the white flags in response.
A short Killeshin kickout was then intercepted and Chris Hurley hit the back of the net and less than a minute later Ambrose Doran did likewise after latching on to a breaking ball from a long direct delivery.
Doran, Ross Hennessey, Danny Bolger and Brian Byrne all pointed for Graigue before half time with Mark McDermott and Aston just about keeping their side in touch as the scoreboard read 2-7 to 0-7 at the interval.
Whatever was said in the Killeshin dressing room at half time seemed to have the desired effect as McDermott, Aston (4) Damian Lowry (2) suddenly gave them a chance of taking the victory although Doran, and Mark Timmons did respond for the winners.
In a tense finale Brian Byrne and Aston exchanged points and both sides were guilty of some poor wides but crucially in the dying moments Graigue still led by the minimum.
However up popped Luke Alsybury to slot a late point and they now move on to face The Heath in the winners section, while Killeshin have another tricky assignment against Arles Kilcruise in the losers section.
Graiguecullen: Danny Bolder (0-1f); Liam Kearney, Mark Timmons (0-1), Bobby Doyle; Luke Alsybury (0-1), Jimmy Bolton, Trevor Collins; Shane O’Neill, Ian Fleming (0-1); Chris Hurley (1-0); Daniel O’Reilly, Ross Hennessey (0-2); Brian Byrne (0-2), Aaron Forbes, Ambrose Doran (1-3,1f).
Subs: Danny Alsybury for Aaron Forbes (49mins), Jamie Parr for Hurley (56mins)
Killeshin: Shane Coakley; Jeremy Mahon, Kevin Ryan, James Davis; Pauric Bolton, Arnie Mahon, Shane Bolger; Stephen Attride, Eoin Lowry (0-1); Mark McDermott (0-2), David Aston (0-8,6f), Evan Lowry; Adam Deering, Cathal Brennan (0-2), Simon Attride.
Subs: Barry Ryan for J Mahon (inj HT), Damian Lowry (0-2) for Deering (HT), Brian Lowry for McDermott (56mins) Fionn Maher for D Lowry (57mins inj), Eoin Scully for Evan Lowry (60mins bc).
Referee: David Moore (St Josephs)