LAOIS SHC SEMI-FINAL Arles-Kilcruise 1-9 Graiguecullen 1-8:ARLES-KILCRUISE reached their second Laois football decider in a row when they held off the second -half challenge of pre-match favourites Graiguecullen at Portlaoise yesterday.

The Carlow border team were attempting to reach a first final in 29 years, but after a poor start they were in trouble. Ross Munnelly pointed twice in the opening minutes and six minutes into the game a great move was completed when Francis Egan crashed a great ball to the net beyond the Graiguecullen goalkeeper.

Kilcruise were 1-8 to 0-4 ahead at half-time and Munnelly got the opening point of the second half - but that would be his side's last score of the game.

Graiguecullen produced a great last quarter sparked by a goal from Colm Doran and four great points, but were just short when the final whistle sounded.

SCORERS

Arles-Kilcruise: C Munnelly, 0-2; K Meaney 0-1, J Conway 0-1, R Munnelly 0-5, F Egan 1-0. Graiguecullen: A Doran 0-1, M Doogue 0-1, B Brennan 0-4, C Doran 1-1, Rory Hurley 0-1.

Portlaoise game called off

THE Laois senior football semi-final between Portlaoise and Stradbally yesterday was called off because of the tragic death of Portlaoise footballer Peter McNulty (25). McNulty, who captained Laois to a Leinster under-21 title in 2006 and was an All-Ireland minor winner in 2003, died on Saturday and Portlaoise's game was immediately called off by the county board.

Funeral arrangements will be announced later today and Laois GAA will then reschedule the game. It's expected it will be fixed for next Saturday.

McNulty was the holder of five Laois SFC medals, two Leinster club medals and was part of the Portlaoise team that reached the All-Ireland club final in 2005.