Late Murphy winner fires Graiguecullen to Division 4 league title

Laois Shopping Centre ACFL Division 4 Final 

Graiguecullen 1-14 

Annanough 0-16 

GRAIGUECULLEN’S second team were crowned 2026 Laois Shopping Centre ACFL Division 4 champions on Wednesday evening after holding their nerve through a frantic finish to overcome Annanough in a gripping decider at the LOETB Centre of Excellence in Portlaoise.

Tomas Brett’s side looked to have one hand on the trophy when they built a seven-point advantage during the second half, only for Annanough to produce a stirring comeback that levelled matters in stoppage time.

However, Graiguecullen dug deep when it mattered most, with Dylan Murphy landing the score that ultimately separated the sides and secured the league title.

Driving rain and a strong diagonal wind made clean handling extremely difficult, while the greasy surface meant the ball frequently skidded away from players attempting to gather possession.

There was still one final twist before the celebrations could begin. Murphy fouled an Annanough player outside the two-point arc, presenting Cormac Deegan with an opportunity to win the game.

The Annanough midfielder had already been exceptional from placed balls, converting four two-point frees, but his late effort drifted to the left of the posts.

Graiguecullen settled into the contest quickly. Bailee Cooney opened their account with a two-point effort before wing-back Danny Aylsbury burst through to split the posts, leaving Graiguecullen three points clear early on.

Annanough responded impressively through the accurate boot of Deegan. He first converted a free before producing one of the scores of the evening with a superb two-pointer into the wind to erase Graiguecullen’s early advantage.

The teams traded scores throughout the remainder of the half. Aidan Bradley and Oran Darcy exchanged points before Sam Ryan edged his side ahead. Jamie O’Brien quickly restored parity, but Annanough then threatened to raise a green flag when David Miller burst through the middle and delivered an inviting pass to Deegan. Goalkeeper Cody Tucker reacted brilliantly to deny the finish from close range.

That save proved significant because Graiguecullen dominated the closing stages of the half. Rory Hurley kicked them back in front before an excellent move involving Murphy and Bradley produced the only goal of the game. Murphy’s pass across the square saw Bradley get the final touch, giving Graiguecullen a 1-6 to 0-5 lead at the break.

Graiguecullen took control after the restart. Murphy converted a two-point free before adding another point from play as the gap stretched to seven points and the title appeared to be slipping from Annanough’s grasp.

Murphy almost created another goal in spectacular fashion, showing his soccer skills to dribble the ball through the defence before attempting to set up Bradley, but Annanough managed to scramble the danger away.

To their credit, Annanough refused to give in. Deegan continued to keep them alive with another two-point free before Ryan and Kevin Fennelly both found the target during their best spell of the game, reducing the deficit to just two points entering the final 10 minutes.

Graiguecullen steadied themselves through Bradley and Hurley, but Annanough still had plenty left to offer. Deegan punished dissent by converting a free for two points before Hurley responded in identical fashion with a single-pointer at the opposite end after Graiguecullen benefited from a similar infringement.

The closing minutes produced a dramatic finale. Centre-back Eoghan Deegan launched over an excellent two-pointer before Ryan’s third point of the evening brought the sides level as stoppage time began.

Just when extra time seemed inevitable, Murphy produced the decisive moment. Finding space, he calmly split the posts to restore Graiguecullen’s advantage.

Although Annanough were handed one last opportunity from a free outside the arc, Deegan was unable to repeat his earlier accuracy, allowing Graiguecullen to emerge with the narrowest of victories and the Division 4 crown.

SCORERS:

Graiguecullen: Aidan Bradley 1-2, Dylan Murphy (1tpf) and Rory Hurley (0-2fs) 0-4 each, Bailee Cooney 0-2 (1tp), Danny Aylsbury and Jamie O’Brien 0-1 each.

Annanough: Cormac Deegan 0-9 (4tpf, 0-1f), Sam Ryan 0-3, Eoghan Deegan 0-2, Kevin Fennelly and Oran Darcy 0-1 each.

GRAIGUECULLEN: Cody Tucker; Warith Oyeniyi, Bobby Doyle, Eoghan Kavanagh; Danny Aylsbury, James Horohan, Danny O’Brien; Lee Nolan, James Doogue; Jamie O’Brien, Aidan Bradley, Dylan Murphy; Bailee Cooney, Aaron Forbes, Rory Hurley.

Subs: Aaron Cullen for Cooney (40m), Luke Dooley for Aylsbury (40m).

ANNANOUGH: Conor Hanley; David Miller, John Scully, Ronan Stapleton; Jake Darcy, Eoghan Deegan, Shane Stapleton; Cormac Deegan, Fergal Scully; Johnny Fennelly, Kevin Fennelly, Cathal Kelliher; Sam Ryan, Sean Tuohy, Oran Darcy.

Subs: Adam Murray for Kelliher (38m), Conor Donlon for S Stapleton (44m).

Referee: Jamie McDonald (Rosenallis)