St Joseph’s hold off Graiguecullen fightback to reach quarter-finals

St Joseph’s 1-13 

Graiguecullen 1-12 

ST Joseph’s are through to the Laois Shopping Centre SFC quarter-finals after hanging on to beat Graiguecullen by a point in Laois Hire O’Moore Park on Sunday evening.

They just got over the line, as Graiguecullen did fashion a late comeback in the closing stages, but it wasn’t enough for Graiguecullen as they resort back to round three.

In a first half that won’t live long in the memory banks, the first 16 minutes was as a hard watch as you will see.

Before the game got a score there was seven wides between the two sides, but there was two goal chances, however, A Mark Timmons effort was blocked on the line, while Danny Hickey had a chance well blocked for St Joseph’s.

The game started to get going eventually with Dylan Murphy getting a two-pointer free which got this contest going.

St Joseph’s response was a good one, they would find their range at last by kicking six points in a row.

Eoin Johnson and Darragh Farrell got two quick points to level up matters as the game started to open up somewhat.

Mikie Dempsey put St Joseph’s into the lead and was followed up by points from Eoghan O’Flaherty, Oisin Hooney and Eoin Johnson as they led 0-6 to 0-2 with the half coming to a close.

Graiguecullen then responded with a brilliant two pointer from Mark Timmons and Brian Byrne would get the last score of a forgettable first half as Joseph’s led 0-6 to 0-5 at the break.

St Jospeh’s got the first score of the second half through Eoin Johnson who hit a super two-pointer to increase the gap to three points.

The gap would go out to five as St Joseph’s upped the intensity with Robbie Murphy hitting another two pointer for St Joseph’s.

Both sides would then trade points through Jack Byrne and Mikie Dempsey as St Joseph’s were getting scores a bit easier than Graiguecullen.

Graigue then sparked into life and would spark into life and kicked three points in a row through Josh O’Brien who grabbed a brace with Trevor Collins scoring in between them to reduce the gap to two.

The victors settled though and turned over the ball with Darragh Farrell finding Oisin Hooney who passed it to Dylan Doyle who rattled the back of the net.

Then Brian Daly immediately found a trademark two pointer to make St Joseph’s comfortable again.

To Graiguecullen’s credit they fought back once more with two points in a row through Dylan Murphy and Josh O’Brien to leave it 1-13 to 0-11 going into added time.

Graiguecullen then got a lifeline as Ian Shanahan dragged down Jack Byrne and a penalty was awarded.

Mark Timmons buried it to the net to put two points in it with two minutes still to be played. Trevor Collins then hit another point to reduce the gap to one point.

Time was against Graiguecullen as St Joseph’s held out to see them qualify for the quarter-finals.

SCORERS:

St Joseph’s: Eoin Johnson 0-4 (1 tp), Dylan Doyle 1-0, Mikie Dempsey, Robbie Murphy (tp) and Brian Daly (tp) 0-2 each, Oisin Hooney, Eoghan O’Flaherty and Darragh Farrell 0-1 each.

Graiguecullen: Mark Timmons 1-2 (1-0 pen, 1 tp), Josh O’Brien and Dylan Murphy (1 tpf, 0-1f) 0-3 each, Trevor Collins 0-2, Brian Byrne and Jack Byrne 0-1 each.

ST JOSEPH’S: Aaron Cooney; Ciaran Condron, Adam Campion, Niall Brennan; Jack Lacey, Danny Hickey, Sean Brennan; Mikie Dempsey, Brian Daly; Eoin Johnson, Mick Keogh, Robbie Murphy; Oisin Hooney, Darragh Farrell, Eoghan O’Flaherty.

Subs: Ian Shanahan for Lacey (38m, inj), Dylan Doyle for O’Flaherty (42m), Gearoid Lynch for Hickey (51m), Josh Lacey for Condron (57m), Tom Dunne for Hooney (57m).

GRAIGUECULLEN: Luke Dooley; Warith Oyeniyi, Danny McGrath, Sean McGrath; Jamie Sheehan, Mark Timmons, Danny O’Brien; Trevor Collins, Aaron Dorgan; Josh O’Brien, Brian Byrne, Dylan Murphy; Jamie O’Brien, Aidan Bradly, Jack Byrne.

Subs: Danny O’Reilly for D O’Brien (ht), Danny Aylsbury for J O’Brien (47m), Aaron Forbes for Bradley (51m).

Referee: Brendan McCann (Portarlington)