Mayo’s Crossmolina Claims Glory with Connor Loftus’ Pivotal Penalty
Conor Loftus stepped up in the dying moments to secure the Gaelic Football Championship title for Crossmolina, overriding Ballinderry with a decisive injury-time penalty. The final whistle embroiled Crossmolina players in a whirlwind of emotions, dedicating their triumph to the community and to Conor’s beloved fiancée, Róisín Cryan.
The Dramatic Finish
The game, fixated for a second time, resulted in a tightly contested final score of 1-12 against Ballinderry’s 0-13. Early in the match, Crossmolina took the lead but Ballinderry fought back intensely, levelling in a seesaw of scores through the half. Even after taking an 11-point lead, Ballinderry managed to mount a rigorous comeback, with two late goals from Daniel McKinless and Ruairi Forbes.
With time running out, Crossmolina faced a last-minute tackle by Ballinderry’s goalkeeper, Ben McKinless. The referee ruled the challenge a foul, sending McKinless off with a red card. This left the stage open, and Conor Loftus would take the dramatic fate of the league into his own hands.
Stepping up to the ball, Loftus calmly struck the ball into the corner of the net, earning the match-winning goal. The jubilant Crossmolina team was quickly swarmed, rushing towards their captain in celebration.
A Personal Victory
The title win came with additional emotional weight for Conor Loftus. Just two weeks prior, he lost his fiancée, Róisín Cryan. Róisín, a significant part of the team’s spirit, was there cheering them on through the tough times and celebrating with them in the good ones. Speaking from the heart, Conor expressed his gratitude, dedicating the championship to her memory.
“Róisín was an amazing person and we as a team are lucky to have known her,” Loftus said. “Róisín would hate this attention, but I want to dedicate this victory to Róisín Cryan. I know she’s looking down on us smiling today.”
Community Spirit Emanates
The triumph was much more than a championship win for Crossmolina. It symbolized the strength of their community, with players and supporters united in joy and sorrow. This unity demonstrates how communities can come together during both the best and worst of times.
Crossmolina’s hometown of Crossmolina, a small but proud town, erupted with celebration. The championship win strengthened the town’s identity and community pride, highlighting the enduring spirit of the people of Crossmolina.
“Crossmolina is a small, proud town, and it’s been overwhelming to see how the community can come together in the good times and the bad times,” said Conor, emphasizing the town’s resilience.
Match Recap
The teams began neck-and-neck, with Crossmolina scoring first in the second minute through a free taken by Conor Loftus. Ballinderry established a brief advantage through the efforts of Ryan Bell, but Crossmolina recaptured the lead after three points from Kevin Mulhern and Conor Loftus.
The remainder of the first half was characterized by fierce exchange, with scores ebbing and flowing. Ballinderry struggled to hold onto the lead, despite the efforts of Ryan Bell, Conor O’Neill, and Cathal Crozier. Crossmolina skillfully countered, with contributions from Fionan Duffy and Niall Coggins securing a narrow lead at half-time.
The second half proved to be an intense battle, with Ballinderry’s Daniel McKinless and Ruairi Forbes collecting goals to bring the score within reach. However, Crossmolina managed to surge ahead again, with points from Niall Coggins and Lorcan Loftus.
Ballinderry’s persistence almost paid off with scores from McKinless and Forbes, setting the stage for the dramatic finish to the match.
Match Statistics
Scorers: For Crossmolina, Conor Loftus leads with 1-1, followed by Fionan Duffy with 0-4 from frees, Niall Coggins with 0-3, Joseph Maheady with 0-2 (1f), Kevin Mulhern and Lorcan Loftus each scoring 0-1. Ballinderry’s scorers include Cathal Crozier with 0-2f, Conor O’Neill with 0-2f, and Ryan Bell with 0-3. Daniel McKinless and Ruairi Forbes contributed with 0-2 and 0-1 respectively.
Ballinderry Team: Ben McKinless; Antrim Mullan, Oisin Duffin, Rory O’Neill; Enda Devlin, Gearóid McKinless, Ruairi Forbes; Liam Bell, Cathal Crozier; Eoghan Rocks, Conor O’Neill, Sean McCann; Dara Lawn, Ruairi Bell, Seán Coleman. Substitutes were Daniel McKinless for Coleman (38), Martin Smyth for Lawn (49), Jason Bell for Crozier (52), and Oisin Mullan for Rocks (65).
Crossmolina Team: Jarlath Power Mulhern; Donal Fox, Kevin Mulhern, Max Gordetskyy; Aidan Goggins, Conor Loftus, Magee Loftus; Declan Syron, James Flynn; Niall Coggins, Joseph Maheady, Pádraig Coggins; Damien Walsh, Paul Leddy, Fionan Duffy. Substitutes included Lorcan Loftus for Syron (27), Padraic Loftus for JP Mulhern (45 injury), Colm Carolan for Walsh (57), Seán Duffy for Leddy (59), and Cillian Fergus for Magee Loftus (65).
Referee: Stephen Lonergan (Tipperary).
Final Thoughts
Crossmolina’s championship victory stands as a testament to the perseverance and unity of its players and community. Conor Loftus’ triumph in injury time with the crucial penalty not only secured a prestigious title but also paid homage to his late fiancée. As the team celebrates, Crossmolina residents will no doubt bask in the glory associated with their town’s GAA prowess.
Was this the defining moment of the 2023 Gaelic Football Championship, or did the drama leave you with a different favorite? Share your thoughts below, and don’t forget to subscribe to keep up with the latest sports news!