Five-goal Graiguecullen sends Emo back to Division 2
It was a superb performance from start to finish
Graiguecullen produced a dominant display to retain their Division 1 status with a resounding victory over Emo in the Laois Shopping Centre ACFL Division 1 relegation play-off on Saturday evening. From start to finish, Graiguecullen were in complete control and ran out emphatic winners.
Emo, who struggled to gain any foothold in the game, simply had no answer to Graiguecullen’s pace, power, and clinical finishing. With five goals scored and just four points conceded, it was a statement performance from Graiguecullen as they secured their place in the top tier for 2026.
Graiguecullen 5-13
Emo 0-4
Graiguecullen almost scored a goal inside two minutes but Ross Hennessy’s fisted effort hit the post. Brian Byrne scored the game’s first point off his left foot. Emo went ahead with two scores without reply as Cian Langford and a great team score from Ross Meredith put them ahead two points to one after eight minutes.
However, Emo would then go 22 minutes without a point as Graiguecullen took over and scored 3-5 unanswered. Graiguecullen’s first goal was handed to them as Conor Kelly won an Emo kick-out before playing in Lee Walker, who smashed the ball past Paul Lawlor.
Brian Byrne got his second point of the game this time off his right foot before Aaron Cullen palmed the ball into the net from close-range after a one-two with Ross Hennessy. Aaron Dorgan, Lee Walker, Hennessy and Jamie Sheehan all added a point each to the away side's tally with Hennessy getting Graigue's third goal when he got a touch on Mikee Horohan's shot on goal. Emo finally broke their 22-minute spell without a score when Niall Gorman pointed to the end the half. Graiguecullen were ahead by 12 points at half-time.
Hennessy and a third point from Brian Byrne got the second-half's scoring underway. Emo's fourth point came from Pa Hosey in the 35th minute, which would prove to be their final score of the contest. Conor Kelly was the scorer of Graigue's fourth goal as his shot for a point ended up in the back of Lawlor's net. Hennessy, Walker, Brian Byrne and substitute Jack Byrne all raised white flags before Jack Byrne set up Hennessy for his second goal. Jack Byrne got the game's final score as Graiguecullen made sure of their Division 1 status for 2026. Emo are relegated to Division 2, only a year after being promoted.
SCORERS-- Graiguecullen: Ross Hennessy 2-3, Lee Walker 1-2, Brian Byrne 0-4, Conor Kelly and Aaron Cullen 1-0 each, Jack Byrne 0-2, Jamie Sheehan and Aaron Dorgan 0-1 each. Emo: Paddy Hosey, Ross Meredith, Cian Langford and Niall Gorman 0-1 each.
GRAIGUECULLEN: Craig Doyle; Sean McGrath, Danny McGrath, Adam Kerfah; Brian Byrne, Trevor Collins, Mikee Horohan; Jamie Sheehan, Aaron Dorgan; Chris Hurley, Lee Walker, Aaron Cullen; Ross Hennessy, Aaron Forbes, Conor Kelly. Subs: Jack Byrne for Forbes and James Horohan for Hurley (Both 39 mins), Cody Tucker for Doyle and Conor Harte for Dorgan (44 mins), Aidan Bradley for Walker (48 mins)
EMO: Paul Lawlor; Padraig Langford, Liam Crowley, Shane Murphy; Tom Fennelly, Brian Gorman, Eibhan Joyce; James O’Rourke, Niall Gorman; David Gorman, Ross Meredith, Cian Langford; Colm Poole, Pa Hosey, David Costello. Subs: Jack Lalor for Meredith (44 mins), Ian Fennelly for Murphy (53 mins), Monty Balfe for T Fennelly and Hugh Donnelly for P Langford (Both 56 mins)
Referee: Hugh Coghlan (Park-Ratheniska)