MAYO star Conor Loftus set his grief aside to clinch the All-Ireland club IFC title for Crossmolina with a last-gasp penalty.
The Croke Park decider was postponed following the tragic death of Loftus’ partner Róisín Cryan.
Loftus made himself available for the refixture and capped a strong performance with the 69th-minute winning kick.
When full-time came, Loftus walked straight to the dressing room. GAA president Jarlath Burns spoke of a difficult few weeks for the families and the club while captain Mikie Loftus dedicated the win to Róisín.
Cross manager Brian Benson said: “The last two weeks, three weeks, have been really tough in the club, very emotional.
“While we’re all excited and delighted, our thoughts have to go to them, to Conor Loftus and the Cryans, it’s really difficult for him.
“To see him bolt down the tunnel after winning an All-Ireland in Croke Park, it says a lot.
“It’s a testament to the man he is, to be able to change his focus, to be even thinking about an All-Ireland final in the circumstances.”
A simmering game that was level five times in the first half came to the boil after the break with the Mayo club surging 0-11 to 0-8 clear.
Man of the match Niall Coggins hit three second-half points.
Ballinderry kicked five in a row between the 53rd and 59th minutes to lead by two points in stoppage time.
Coggins pulled back a point for Cross to leave one in it. Then sub Stephen Duffy was controversially adjudged to have been fouled by goalkeeper Ben McKinless.
That is when brave hero Loftus stepped up to slam home one of the most emotional winners Croke Park is likely to see.
CROSSMOLINA DEEL ROVERS: JP Mulhern; D Fox, D Coggins, M Gordetskyy; M Loftus, C Loftus 1-1, 1-0pen, 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 0-4f. Subs: L Loftus 0-1 for Syron 26 mins, P Loftus for JP Mulhern 45, C Carolan for Walsh 57, S Duffy for Leddy 59, C Fergus for M Loftus 65.
BALLINDERRY: 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. Subs: D McKinless 0-2 for Coleman 38 mins, M Smyth for Lawn 49, O Mullan for Rocks 65.
REFEREE: S Lonergan (Tipperary).
