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05 Apr 2026

Controversial late penalty breaks Ballinderry hearts in All-Ireland final

Ballinderry

There was devastation for Ballinderry players at Croke Park. Pic by Tyler Miller/ Sportsfile

Reporter:

Michael McMullan

26 Jan 2025 4:43 PM

All-Ireland Club IFC final
Crossmolina 1-12
Ballinderry 0-13
It was sheer disappointment for Ballinderry as they saw All-Ireland glory snatched from their grasp in stoppage time at Croke Park on Sunday.
The Shamrocks hit five points on the bounce to come from behind and two clear with time ticking away only for a controversial Crossmolina penalty.
Admittedly, the Shamrocks had failed to clear their lines before substitute Stephen Duffy was deemed to have been fouled.
The Crossmolina sub charged into Ben McKinless, on his goal line, with Sean Lonergan penalising the Ballinderry ‘keeper.
A penalty was awarded, McKinless was shown a black card before Conor Loftus dispatched his kick to the net, sending stand-in ‘keeper Daniel McKinless the wrong way.
It was an emotional finish to the game with Loftus winning the All-Ireland after the initial game was postponed due to the death of his fiancée Roisin Cryan.
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.
Ryan Bell levelled matters before the Mayo champions 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 to helped the sides 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 Crossmolina won the game with their dramatic finish.
Scorers
Crossmolina: Conor Loftus 1-1, Fionán Duffy 0-4f, Niall Coggins 0-3, James Maheady 0-2 (1f), Kevin Mulhern and Lorcan Loftus 0-1 each
Ballinderry: Charlie Crozier (2f), Conor O’Neill (0-2f), Ryan Bell 0-3 each, Daniel McKinless 0-2, Ruairí Forbes and Tiarnán Rocks 0-1
Ballinderry: Ben McKinless; Gareth McKinless, Ryan O’Neill; Aron Mullan, Darren Lawn; Eoin Devlin, Oisín Duffin, Eoghan Rocks; Shea Coleman, Ruairí Forbes; Tiarnán Rocks, Conor O’Neill, Shea McCann; Ryan Bell, Charlie Crozier
Subs: Daniel McKinless for Coleman (38), Matthew Smyth for Lawn (49), Jack Bell for Crozier (52), Oisin Mullan for Rocks (65)
Black card: B McKinless (65)
Yellow card: B McKinless (39)
Red card: B McKinless (65)
Crossmolina: JP Mulhern; Diarmuid Fox, Matthew Gordetskyy; Aaron Goggins, Conor Loftus, Mikie Loftus; Kevin Mulhern, Darragh Syron, Jordan Flynn; Diarmuid Coggins, James Maheady, Niall Coggins; Diarmuid Walsh, Patrick Leddy, Fionán Duffy
Subs: Lorcan Loftus for Syron (INJ 27), Patrick Loftus for JP Mulhern (INJ 45), Cathal Carolan for Walsh (57), Stephen Duffy for Leddy (59), Cillian Ferris for M Loftus (65)
Yellow cards: L Loftus (40), J Flynn (43)
Referee: Sean Lonergan (Tipperary)

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