Crossmolina Deel Rovers captain Mikie Loftus dedicated his side’s All-Ireland Intermediate Football Championship triumph to Róisín Cryan with a poignant speech on the steps of the Hogan Stand in Croke Park.

An injury-time penalty from Conor Loftus won the title for the Mayo club, a 1-12 to 0-13 victory over Derry side Ballinderry, sparking hugely emotional scenes at GAA headquarters.

The Crossmolina players surrounded Loftus at the final whistle, having come from behind to defeat the Derry champions.

It was a hugely emotional occasion on Jones’ Road, with Loftus having lost his fiancee Róisín a fortnight ago.

“This victory is obviously bittersweet,” he said.

“Róisín Cryan was an amazing person and we as a team are lucky to have known her. Róisín was there celebrating after the good times last year, and throughout the many bad times.

“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.

“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,” he added.

The game was re-fixed for this Sunday with the Mayo side winning out by 1-12 to 0-13, with Loftus’ penalty sealing the victory with virtually the last kick of the game.

A second Daniel McKinless point looked to have sealed victory for the Shamrocks until the late Crossmolina showing.

Man of the match Niall Coggins blasted over a second goal chance to leave a point between the sides before a dramatic yet controversial finish.

Substitute Stephen Duffy capitalised on a defensive error before charging into goalkeeper Ben McKinless. Referee Lonergan deemed it a foul before showing McKinless a black card.

Daniel McKinless stepped into goals but Loftus tucked his penalty to the corner of the net to win the game.

Ballinderry were forced to start without Niall O’Donnell who tweaked a hamstring in their semi-final win over Austin Stacks.

A foul on Conor Loftus handed Fionan Duffy the chance to open the scooring with the first of three first-half frees.

It was former Derry forward Ryan Bell who levelled matters before the mayo men pushed 0-3 to 0-1 ahead after 10 minutes with points from Conor Loftus and Kevin Mulhern.

Frees from Conor O’Neill had Ballinderry level and back in contention in a game that ebbed and flowed.

Bell and Crozier added scores for the Ulster champions but Duffy, with two frees, saw the sides go in at half time level for the fifth time, 0-6 each.

Tiernan Rocks kicked Ballinderry 0-8 to 0-7 ahead after 36 minutes but it was Crossmolina who pushed clear, 0-11 to 0-8 with scores form Niall Coggins and sub Lorcan Loftus.

Daniel McKinless and Ruairi Forbes pushed Ballinderry towards the finish line before a dramatic finale.

Scorers – Crossmolina: C Loftus 1-1, F Duffy 0-4f, N Coggins 0-3, J Maheady 0-2 (1f), K Mulhern and L Loftus 0-1 each. 

Ballinderry: C Crozier (2f), C O’Neill (0-2f), R Bell 0-3 each, D McKinless 0-2, R Forbes and T Rocks 0-1.

Ballinderry: B McKinless; A Mullan, O Duffin, R O’Neill; E Devlin, G McKinless, R Forbes; L Bell, C Crozier; E Rocks, C O’Neill, S McCann; D Lawn, R Bell, S Coleman. Subs: Daniel McKinless for Coleman (38), M Smyth for Lawn (49), J Bell for Crozier (52), O Mullan for Rocks (65).

Crossmolina: JP Mulhern; D Fox, K Mulhern, M Gordetskyy; A Goggins, C Loftus, M Loftus; D Syron, J Flynn; D Coggins, J Maheady, N Coggins; D Walsh, P Leddy, F Duffy. Subs: L Loftus for Syron (27), P Loftus for JP Mulhern (INJ 45), C Carolan for Walsh (57), S Duffy for Leddy (59), C Fergus for M Loftus (65).

Referee: S Lonergan (Tipperary).