Watch: Late Loftus penalty seals dramatic All-Ireland triumph for Crossmolina

January 26, 2025

Crossmolina Deel Rovers' Conor Loftus holds possession against Ballinderry during the All-Ireland club IFC final at Croke Park

A Conor Loftus penalty in the eighth minute of injury-time saw Crossmolina Deel Rovers (Mayo) snatch the All-Ireland club intermediate football championship title from Ballinderry Shamrocks (Derry) in dramatic late fashion this afternoon.

It finished 1-12 to 0-13 at Croke Park, where the Ulster champions outscored their opponents by 0-5 to 0-1 in the closing stages to seemingly secure the All-Ireland crown before conceding a penalty right at the end which Loftus held his nerve to convert to the net for Deel Rovers.

It was no doubt an emotional and special moment for the Mayo star after the tragic passing of his fiancé Roisin Cryan a fortnight ago.

The final itself had been an airtight encounter which saw the sides level four times in the first-half at HQ, including when they went it at half-time on 0-6 apiece.

The Connacht champions enjoyed the better third quarter and it saw them running up a 0-11 to 0-8 lead thanks to the scores of Lorcan Loftus, Fionan Duffy (free) and James Maheady.

The closing 10 minutes of regulation belonged to Ballinderry though as Ryan Bell got the motoring again with a superb point which was backed up by the scores of Conor O’Neill and Gareth McKinless as they eventually surged two in front.

Niall Goggins got a point to stop the rot for Crossmolina and he’d be involved in the last attack for the Mayo men as they found Sean Duffy inside and he was adjudged to have been taken down by Ballinderry ‘keeper Ben McKinless as he looked to shoot for goal.

McKinless received his marching orders and, after some delay with the Derry men's protests, Loftus expertly tucked away the spot kick to secure All-Ireland glory for his club.


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