Croke Park was awash in a tidal wave of emotion this afternoon as Crossmolina dramatically snatched victory over Ballinderry in the All-Ireland Intermediate club football final. In a scene that simply couldn’t be scripted, Conor Loftus stepped up to take a penalty six minutes into injury time and somehow retained sufficient calmness and composure to slot the ball to the net.
The scenes of jubilation at full-time were like nothing I’ve ever seen at Croke Park in the many long years I’ve been attending matches there. The Crossmolina community, to say nothing of the Cryan family, have been through the toughest of times in the last few weeks and, while that pain will inevitably take time to recede, this win must surely help, even in some small part, in the healing process.
In accepting the cup, following the gracious, well-chosen words of GAA President Jarlath Burns, team captain Mikie Loftus described the win as bittersweet and he dedicated it to the late Róisín Cryan. It was a hugely moving moment on a day of such high emotion.
Today’s final was the last one we’ll see played under the old rules and a right good contest it was too. Any questions about whether or not Crossmolina would be up for this were answered early on as they took the fight to Ballinderry and enjoyed the best of the opening exchanges.
They were three points to one up after ten minutes and looked well on top at that point. A Fionán Duffy free opened the scoring and, after Ryan Bell had levelled for the Derry team, Conor Loftus smashed over an inspirational score from distance. Full-back Kevin Mulhern, roaming upfield, then bagged his team’s third of the day.
Ballinderry pulled level with two frees but their wayward shooting was already noticeable, with four wides racked up in the opening quarter. They were, though, clearly now well settled into what was becoming a right good contest.
James Maheady pointed from a free on the right after Diarmuid Walsh was felled. After they levelled from play, another free by Fionán Duffy edged Deel Rovers back in front.
Two scores in as many minutes, the first from play, saw Ballinderry hit the front for the first time as the half-way mark approached. A third Fionán Duffy free, banged over from the top of the D, meant the sides went in level at the break.
Looking around the Lower Hogan it was apparent that the travelling support for Crossmolina was being bulked out by plenty of Mayo fans who came along to lend their voices to the cause. I also saw a number of the county team there too. Today, in large part, we were all honorary Crossmolina people.
A free for Ballinderry saw them back in front soon after the restart. Crossmolina swept downfield soon after, with the livewire Niall Coggins – our Player of the Match on the podcast – in for a possible goal chance but his shot went over the bar.
The game was now starting to open up. Conor O’Neill put them back in front but Lorcan Loftus, who’d replaced Darragh Syron before half-time, bagged the equaliser and Fionán Duffy, again from a free, edged the lads from the west ahead once again.
Crossmolina survived a nervy moment soon after when a dangerous ball was lofted into their square and ‘keeper JP Mulhern did really well to bat it away from danger. He injured himself in the process, though, and hobbled off to be replaced by Patrick Loftus.
Niall Coggins, now becoming a real menace up top, made another burst and bagged a score. Then, following a patient bit of build-up play, James Maheady pulled the trigger and Cross were three to the good with ten minutes of normal time to play.
It looked then as if the Mayo team were easing their way to victory. One more score, you felt, and the cup would be theirs.
Ballinderry, to their credit, had other ideas. Coming down the stretch they reeled off five points without reply and, when Daniel McKinless celebrated with gusto after he’d scored the last of these, it now seemed certain that the title was heading north.
Chatting on the Final Whistle pod afterwards, we were musing that it looked like, after all the trauma over the last few weeks, Crossmolina had simply hit a wall in those closing minutes. They’d given their all and more and defeat then would have come with considerable honour.
But there was one further, out-of-this-world, turn still to come in the script.
Crossmolina needed a goal to save the day and when Diarmuid Coggins ended a flowing move by blasting over it looked as if that chance had come and gone. One down now but deep into injury time, they couldn’t possibly win it, could they?
Like many I’ve now had a chance to have a proper look at the moments that led up to the penalty decision, which saw Ballinderry ‘keeper Ben McKinless given a second yellow. It’s clear from this footage, however, that the goalie was entirely blameless – Crossmolina sub Stephen Duffy ran straight at him and, if anything, it should have been a free out.
The penalty decision was but the grace note on what was a very poor day on the whistle for ref Seán Lonergan. Overly picky throughout, he denied Crossmolina frees in good positions a few times in the closing stages. Poor officiating giveth and poor officiating taketh away.
But the penalty decision pales in comparison with the almost surreal denouement that followed. It bordered on a spiritual moment as Conor Loftus placed the ball on the spot. What was going through his mind at that moment? What fortitude resided in him to be prepared to put himself in that pivotal position, in effect to decide the outcome of the game?
He met the moment with perfection. The ball nestled in the net and seconds later Crossmolina were champions, the first ever club to win the All-Ireland at both Intermediate and Senior levels.
The scenes afterwards were like no other sporting occasion I’ve ever seen. Crossmolina would be a great club regardless of how today’s game had gone but the win elevates them to another level. The memories of it are something all of us who were lucky enough to be there will cherish for the rest of our days.
It was lovely to linger inside the stadium for ages afterwards, chatting away with so many people, all of us only reluctantly leaving when the stewards came to shoo us out. It had been a truly special day with an ending that Spielberg wouldn’t have dared to script.
Huge congrats to Crossmolina. Rest in peace, Róisín.
Crossmolina: JP Mulhern; Diarmuid Fox, Kevin Mulhern (0-1), Matthew Gordetskyy; Aaron Coggins, Conor Loftus (1-1, penalty goal), Mike Loftus; Darragh Syron, Jordan Flynn; Diarmuid Coggins (0-1), James Maheady (0-2, one free), Niall Coggins (0-2); Diarmuid Walsh, Patrick Leddy, Fionán Duffy (0-4, frees). Subs: Lorcan Loftus (0-1) for Syron, Stephen Duffy for Leddy, Cillian Fergus for Mikie Loftus.
Clare says:
January 26, 2025 at 8:25 pm
Still can't quite believe what unfolded today I cried watching it to.
Have massive respect for Conor Loftus him& Cross did the whole of mayo absolutely so proud. <3
Oilean acla says:
January 26, 2025 at 9:38 pm
What a lovely report WJ filled with emotion, joy/ sadness. An incredible tribute to the Crossmolina team and in particular, Conor Loftus, not forgetting Roisin beannacht Dé lena hanamh dilis.
Mo Maguire says:
January 26, 2025 at 10:13 pm
A very touching tribute WJ, tragedy and triumph, I can't think of a more emotional occasion in Croke Park, and you described it beautifully, it'll be a lovely, comforting read for Crossmolina supporters, and those most affected by the sad loss of Róisín will take great solace from it.
GBXI says:
January 26, 2025 at 10:17 pm
The most courage I've ever seen from a Mayo player.
Sinead37 says:
January 26, 2025 at 10:44 pm
You described it so well. You were near me for the celebrations as you have my daughter in your footage and photo.
I’m in awe of Conor Loftus. I really thought I could be going in to experience a loss in a final again but wanted to lend my voice and support. I couldn’t see how they could rise or even Conor play. My Wexford husband had told me that don’t be surprised if Conor plays and him and the team play out of their skin and win. He was right.
2 hops says:
January 26, 2025 at 10:46 pm
Just tonight WJ we are coming out of 3 days and nights without power, Internet,etc. So if there was any little package of highlights from that brilliant Cross win it would be greatly appreciated.
It was the van radio and midwest with Michael D and Tom Nallen (which was great) .
Couldn't be more proud of what they have done.
Willie Joe says:
January 26, 2025 at 10:59 pm
2 hops - I don't know if there's any highlights available but the entire game is still available to view on TG4's YouTube channel (link here.)
Sorry to have missed you, Sinead. I was the old guy in the podcast jacket blubbering like a baby!
2 hops says:
January 26, 2025 at 11:10 pm
Brilliant. Thanks WJ.
Mind the House says:
January 26, 2025 at 11:28 pm
https://x.com/DeelRoversGAA/status/1883635526340944169/mediaViewer?currentTweet=1883635526340944169¤tTweetUser=DeelRoversGAA
Hopefully this link works. The Crossmolina team carrying the trophy across the Shannon.
Tuamstar says:
January 26, 2025 at 11:32 pm
Such a poignant way to finish the game..
Conor was outstanding and heroic.
Rest in peace Roisin
You Three says:
January 27, 2025 at 12:02 am
Great piece WJ and a great win, Hollywood couldn't write that script
Mary Mullen says:
January 27, 2025 at 6:52 am
Well done, Crossmolina!.And to 'superman' Conor. I cried with joy, pride & relief for Cross & the West! Roisin was there too, on Conor's shoulder.....
From an 80+ year old Galway neighbour xx
Outside of the Boot says:
January 27, 2025 at 7:08 am
Wille Joe, will you delete my.last comment was made only in football sense but don't wish to inflame or cause any harm
Willie Joe says:
January 27, 2025 at 8:56 am
I’ve deleted it, Outside of the Boot - I didn’t see anything wrong with it but appreciate your wish to be sensitive on this topic.
OnTheFence says:
January 27, 2025 at 9:07 am
The morning after the night before. There will be a few sore heads in Crossmolina this morning I reckon!
Delighted for Crossmolina, any day a Mayo team - club, school or county comes home with a trophy is a great day for the county overall. This brings a somewhat happy ending to a sad period over the past few weeks.
You have to feel sorry for Ballinderry all the same. Let's address the elephant in the room - that was never a penalty. It was charging by the Crossmolina player, and there wasn't much the keeper could do other than stand his ground, which he's entitled to do.
We love to complain about referee's in Mayo, but yesterday we got the lucky break - something we should remember the next time we get the short end of the stick from a referee.
Sean Burke says:
January 27, 2025 at 10:20 am
What’s the definition of the rule on charging though , it’s a very grey area imho . So you gather the ball close to the small square , you’re practically going to solo the ball into the net cause you think the keeper will block a shot . Number one , where are the keepers hands , number two is it charging if soloing or within the step count , I’m just very unsure of this charging malarkey, everyone seems to have a different interpretation, remember years ago people used to say barging .
I’d love to see a close up of yesterdays incident in slo mo , where are the keepers hands ?
OnTheFence says:
January 27, 2025 at 11:05 am
Well the fact that the Crossmolina player makes no attempt to shoot the ball, along with the fact that he leads with the shoulder, makes the charging/barging look fairly certain. It's not rugby, you can't just get the ball and run into players. That's charging/barging and it's a foul.
Willie Joe says:
January 27, 2025 at 11:12 am
Our Final Whistle pod from the Crossmolina game yesterday is now up as a free show on all platforms.
Gizmobobs says:
January 27, 2025 at 11:15 am
1.7 Provided he has at least one foot on the ground, a player may make a shoulder to shoulder charge on an opponent:-
(a) who is in possession of the ball, or
(b) who is playing the ball other than when kicking it, or
(c) when both players are moving in the direction of the ball to play it.
When he is within the small rectangle, the goalkeeper may not be charged but he may be challenged for possession of the ball, and his kick or pass may be blocked. Incidental contact with the goalkeeper while playing the ball is permitted.
Mayo Focus says:
January 27, 2025 at 11:16 am
I certainly think the penalty was incredibly harsh. 100% barging IMO. But a Mayo team deserved a bit of luck for a change. Conor Loftus. Balls of steel. Incredibly fitting that he was the one to score the winner
OnTheFence says:
January 27, 2025 at 11:24 am
Gizmobobs, that rule raises a question. It appears to be written from the perspective of the player on the ball being tackled, but in this case, the shoulder was made by the player in possession. The rule also appears to reference the goalkeeper having possession of the ball, whereas this case is the opposite.
Does the goalkeeper get the same protections in the small rectangle when in possession as he does when out of possession?
whitey says:
January 27, 2025 at 11:25 am
Free in for Crossmolina not given when the Ballinderry player too about 12 steps before being dispossessed
That would have tied it up and we’d have been headed for extra time
Mairead says:
January 27, 2025 at 11:58 am
What an emotional day yesterday.
Was praying throughout the game for Conor and all the team to Blessed Carlo Acutis, and then to hear the final secs of Michael D on Midwest.
The penalty
The brave and amazing Conor popping it in to side of the net. Miracle game.
Thank you Roisin too and Rest in Peace.
FDBinashui says:
January 27, 2025 at 2:28 pm
Does anyone know if anyone who got an intermediate medal yesterday is already the holder of a senior medal from 2001?. Would be a long shot in fairness but a great trivia question!
Catcol says:
January 27, 2025 at 11:50 pm
Refs always side with a team/player who has momentum. That was a sweeping move by Cross which sliced Ballinderry apart and had the attacking player reach his opponent’s goal line. It was practically in the net when he arrived and the keeper didn’t prevent it cleanly.
Cross were brilliant handling the whole business- reminiscent of Andy and Cillian so many times; one enforcer bossing things before the real danger an steps up to bury it.
OnTheFence says:
January 28, 2025 at 3:05 am
Catcol, respectfully, what you just said made little sense. The keeper is entitled to stand his ground to try and prevent a goal, which he did. He didnt run out into the attacker, the attacker ran in to the keeper. The ball being 'practically in the net' was due to the fact that the Crossmolina player didnt even attempt to shoot, he just got the ball and ran straight into the goalkeeper.
From a personal point of view, I'm delighted Crossmolina won. Looking at things from a fair and square point of view, the penalty decision was scandalous and it never should have stood.
Clare says:
January 28, 2025 at 9:34 am
Decisions went against Cross to in that game ref was not great for both sides..
So as I said could not care less if it was penalty or not.
Cross were the better team and how Conor Loftus stood up for them after what he has been through they fully deserved their win.
Willie Joe says:
January 28, 2025 at 11:34 am
This video released by Crossmolina is well worth three minutes of your time!https://x.com/DeelRoversGAA/status/1883924538754543955
Clare says:
January 28, 2025 at 10:02 pm
@Willie Joe fully agree cried again when I saw the video they are an inspiration! <3