Paudie Clifford Had Perfect Response When Asked If He Meant Outrageous Late Winning Goal

Paudie Clifford was the hero for Fossa on Sunday, as they completed a dramatic late comeback against Beaufort to reach the semi-finals of the Kerry intermediate football championship.

Clifford and brother David were both in action for Fossa in Beaufort but, as the game moved deep into the second half, it was turning into a difficult day.

Beaufort led by six points at the break and maintained that lead with just 15 minutes to go, with David Clifford's influence limited by their aggressive marking.

However, a flurry of late scores had them in the mix coming down the home stretch and, ultimately, it was decided by a moment of sheer genius from Paudie Clifford.

With only minutes left on the clock, Clifford was set through on goal by his brother and feinted inside before pulling off an audacious lob over the goalkeeper and final defender.

Paudie Clifford came in clutch for Fossa today 💪

An outrageously cheeky finish to snatch victory in the dying momentspic.twitter.com/XoX7Ccun2l

— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) August 31, 2025

It was a ridiculous finish and gave Fossa a lead they would not relinquish on a dramatic day in Beaufort.

The unusual nature of Clifford's goal will have had many wondering whether he was going for goal with his shot.

Speaking to Clubber after the final whistle, the man-of-the-match was adamant he had meant to go for goal.

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"Did you mean it? I did because if I was going for a point I would have hand passed the point!"😅

For those of you who thought he didn't mean it, never question the genius of Paudie Clifford😅👏

📺Watch the FULL game back on https://t.co/QU7uPhpieW | #ClubberTV pic.twitter.com/pPREqY9bKf

— Clubber (@clubber) August 31, 2025

Paudie Clifford was matter-of-fact when asked by Clubber pitch-side if he was going for goal with his innovative lobbed finish:

I was, yeah, because I would have hand-passed it over if I wanted to get a point!

I didn't put as much on it as I wanted, I mistimed it, didn't connect perfectly with it. I think the wind might have brought it. But it was there anyways to tap it in if it didn't reach.

The Kerry intermediate championship draws great interest every year, thanks in no small part to the Clifford brothers Paudie and David's involvement.

Though Paudie was the star of the show on Sunday, his brother also played an important role in Fossa's victory, and his fingerprints were all over the sublime winning goal.

David had burst down the field to claim a punted long ball, and his perfectly weighted pass created the opportunity for Paudie.

"It was an unbelievable burst of pace from him," Paudie Clifford said.

It was a 60-metre run, probably, like something you'd see in the Olympics! It was a serious burst of pace.

I kind of chanced it, but I was like, 'He could get there,' and I heard the crowd on that side and I was like, 'He must be getting there!'

I just scrambled, really.

Gaelic football fans will long remember Paudie and David Clifford taking the All-Ireland final by the scruff of the neck last month.

They certainly have not let up one bit since returning to club duties.

Fossa now progress to the Kerry intermediate football championship semi-finals, where they will face Kilcummin.