In a heart-wrenching yet triumphant display of sportsmanship, Conor Loftus of Crossmolina Deel Rovers scored a dramatic penalty in the final seconds of the All-Ireland Club IFC final, securing victory against Ballinderry. This achievement comes just weeks after the tragic passing of Loftus's partner, Róisín Cryan, making his performance even more remarkable. The win marks a significant moment for the club, adding to their 2002 senior success.
Conor Loftus of Crossmolina Deel Rovers scored a penalty with almost the last kick of the game to clinch victory in the All-Ireland Club IFC final against Ballinderry. The Mayo player was swamped by celebrating team-mates but immediately made his way off the Croke Park pitch, down to the tunnel and to the sanctuary of the dressing-room.
It is just over a fortnight since the tragic passing of his partner, Róisín Cryan, and how Loftus managed to not just play in the final but to excel and to shoot the winning score, in such pressurized circumstances, is anyone’s guess. Back on the field his team-mates celebrated a national trophy to go along with the club’s senior success of 2002. Roscommon power past Down at the Hyde GAA President Jarlath Burns spoke movingly about a difficult few weeks for the Mayo club while team captain Mikie Loftus dedicated the win to Roisin Cryan. A thrilling and sobering experience for everyone associated with the club on an afternoon they’ll never forget. Incredible. Conor Loftus kicks the winning penalty for Crossmolina in the All-Ireland intermediate final. Their players surrounded him at the final whistle in hugely emotional scenes. “A very emotional time for everyone,” said Man of the Match Niall Coggins who praised his team-mate’s immense character. “That’s Conor, nerves of steel. You just knew he was going to score it, there was no doubt about it.” Ballinderry could have complained about the penalty, awarded against goalkeeper Ben McKinless for appearing to stand his ground in the face of the advancing Stephen Duffy, but declined to. Instead, they took a painful defeat on the chin and will wonder for some time how they didn’t complete their own senior/intermediate double. The 2002 senior champions led by 0-13 to 0-11 in the 62nd minute following a burst of five points in a row. They’d displayed their own character earlier when falling three behind after a strong third quarter from Crossmolina. But even with Ryan Bell and sub Daniel McKinless impressing for Ballinderry, and captain Gareth McKinless coming good when really required, they couldn’t hold on.JP Mulhern; D Fox, D Coggins, M Gordetskyy; M Loftus, C Loftus (1-1, 1-0 pen), A Coggins; D Syron, J Flynn; K Mulhern (0-1), J Maheady (0-2, 1f), N Coggins (0-3); D Walsh, P Leddy, F Duffy (0-4, 4f).L Loftus (0-1) for Syron 26, P Loftus for JP Mulhern 45, C Carolan for Walsh 57, S Duffy for Leddy 59, C Fergus for M Loftus 65.B McKinless; R O’Neill, E Devlin, G McKinless; E Rocks, O Duffin, A Mullan; R Forbes (0-1), S Coleman; T Rocks (0-1), C O’Neill (0-3, 2f), S McCann; C Crozier (0-3, 2f), D Lawn, R Bell (0-3). Roscommon power past Down at the Hyde MOST READ Diary of a retrofit: It cost €60,000 but it is worth every cent GAA live scores: Updates from across the National Football and Hurling Leagues NFL Division Three round-up: Kildare lay down marker with big win over Fermanagh Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers
ALL-IRELAND IFC GAA CONOR LOFTUS CROSSMOLINA DEEL ROVERS BALLINDERRY PENALTY VICTORY TROPHY Róisín CRYAN
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