Karl Ennis is the toast of Maynooth after his late goal handed the Kildare side victory over Westmeath champions Tubberclair in a thrilling Leinster club intermediate football final at Maynooth this afternoon. Maynooth1-8 Tubberclair..0-8 Ennis' decision to forgo the Kildare team holiday to the US paid off spectacularly for Maynooth when he collected a high ball before firing past 2008 All-Star goalkeeper Gary Connaughton for the only goal with six minutes remaining. Up until then, the title looked to be heading to the banks of the Shannon with Tubberclair leading by 0-8 to 0-6. But Ennis' major turned the game on its head and both he and his brother Pierre tagged on late points to give Maynooth their first provincial success at any level. With Westmeath forward Fergal Wilson to the fore, Tubberclair were the better team for long stages, but were never able to put clear daylight between themselves and the home side. The visitors took a 0-5 to 0-4 lead into the interval, but Pierre Ennis had Maynooth level within a minute of the restart. Wilson quickly restored Tubberclair's advantage before he made it 0-7 to 0-5 from a free in the 40th minute. Now operating at full forward, Karl Ennis reduced the deficit to the minimum again before Wilson restored Tubberclair's two-point lead from a long-range free with eight minutes remaining. But two minutes later, Maynooth hit the front when Ennis struck for the only goal. Pierre Ennis added a free almost immediately to make it 1-7 to 0-8 before Karl Ennis sealed the deal from a free in the final minute of normal-time. Wilson had a late goal chance which would have forced extra-time, but his shot went wide and the final whistle sounded soon afterwards. Tweet

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