STAR MAN . . . Moycullen's Paul Clancy who was the hero as they qualified for the All-Ireland intermediate football final with a dramatic win over Annascaul. Photo: Damien Eagers/SPORTSFILE

Moycullen 0-9
Annascaul 0-8

An epic late scoring cameo from inspirational centre-back Paul Clancy was enough to secure an All-Ireland final place for Moycullen, as they edged out Annascaul from Kerry at the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick on Sunday.

The Galway side were down to fourteen players and trailing by a point entering the closing minutes when Clancy forced himself onto centre stage.

A lung-bursting solo from deep earned him the space to kick the equaliser and the former Galway star repeated the trick just three minutes from time to send the Moycullen supporters into delirium.

But every hero needs a fall-guy and there was further drama to come when Annascaul earned a late chance to snatch parity with a free in front of the posts.

Unfortunately for stylish forward Gene Farrell, who was the Kerry side's main scoring threat throughout, his 30 metre free drifted uncharacteristically wide and Moycullen were through to an All-Ireland final showdown against Fingal Ravens at Croke Park on February 17.

Moycullen had started the match brightly, using the wind cleverly to dominate possession, yet failing to make some incisive play count on the scoreboard.

The Lydon brothers shared four points and young midfielder Gareth Bradshaw tacked on another but five first half scores was a modest return. Two from Farrell kept Annascaul in touch.

The flying Farrell demolished the deficit within minutes of the restart with three quick points – two from play – and Annascaul scented blood.

Three further points from Brendan O'Driscoll, Shane Fahy and Kieran O'Driscoll opened a three point gap as Moycullen were rocked.

Phillip Lydon replied with two pointed frees but when Bradshaw was dismissed late in the second half, Moycullen looked certain to regret that first half profligacy.

Cue Clancy's heroics and the injury-time heartbreak for Farrell.

Moycullen: S Friel, K Carr, B Conneely, K O'Connor, S Bradshaw, P Clancy 0-2, B Hanley, M Lydon 0-1, G Bradshaw 0-1, B Flaherty, T Higgins, C Bohan, F Lydon 0-1, P Lydon 0-4 (0-4f), G Clancy.

Annascaul: G O'Shea, T O'Shea, A O'Donnell, C Barry, J Farrell, T Farrell, K O'Driscoll 0-1, E Kennedy, N Sheehy, B O'Driscoll 0-1, G Farrell 0-5 (0-3f);, J O'Driscoll, G "Bingo" O'Driscoll, J O'Driscoll, S Foley 0-1.
Sub: E Hickson for J Farrell.

Referee: M McGann (Clare).

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