Conor Loftus earned an injury-time penalty at Clinch Crossmolina to edge 1-1 in the All-Ireland Intermediate Club Rugby Final at Croke Park. Defeated Delhi side kick 12-0-13.

The match was due to take place two weeks ago but was postponed following the tragic death of Loftus' fiancée Róisín Cryan.

Fittingly, the Mayo man would have the final say under intense pressure when he was swarmed by his teammates at the full-time whistle when he snatched a penalty on his final try of the game .

After consulting with the Cryan and Loftus families, the game continues.

Crossmolina held on to an 0-3 to 0-1 lead in the early stages when Fionan Duffy's opener was canceled out by Ryan Bell, but Loftus and Kevin Mulhern scored to push the Mayo side in front.

Charlie Crozier responded before James Maheady restored Crossmolina's lead but Ballinderry again passed Bell Hit, the latter noted after the goal-scoring opportunity.

Derry's outfit got their first try through a superb score from Crozier and a Conor O'Neill point, but Crossmolina stepped up before breaking through Duffy on half-time.

Ballinderry struck first after Crozier on the restart but Crosmolina responded immediately through Niall Goggins , Niall Goggins drove home from eight yards before Tiarnan Rocks and Lorcan Loftus exchanged scores.

Crossmolina got back in front through Duffy's free and was cleared for the first time since the 10th minute after a punch from Goggins.

Maheady's superb score made the Mayo champions three points clear with nine minutes left, but the batsmen immediately struck through scores from Ruairi Forbes and Daniel McKinless middle.

Bell's superb score brought Shamrocks level and the game was set when Conor O'Neill restored the batsmen in front with three minutes remaining. The game seemed to have been rocked.

Daniel McKinless added another good score to put the Ulster champions' pair into injury time.

Crossmolina had a glorious chance to find the back of the net when Goggins shined from close range.

However, there was a dramatic late twist as Crossmolina was handed an injury-time penalty, with batting goalkeeper McKinless sent off after receiving a second yellow card as he seemed certain to Dragging Sean Duffy.

After weeks of tragedy for the entire Crossmolina community, Loftus buried his decisive kick in an emotional triumph and received a hug from his team-mates as he met his colleagues in the Croke Park dressing room. go. On the steps of Hogan's station, a trophy was to be awarded.