Between 2013 and 2017 Clancy also served as a touch judge/assistant referee at five consecutive European Rugby Champions Cup finals.
[1] He was raised in Bruff and he is the great grandnephew of George Clancy, a former Mayor of Limerick killed during the Irish War of Independence.
[2][3] Clancy was educated at St Munchin's College, where his fellow pupils included Marcus Horan and Jerry Flannery.
[1][6][7][8][9] Clancy has a master's degree in international relations and worked as a tax official with the Revenue Commissioners before becoming a full-time referee.
He encouraged his son to take up refereeing after injuries, including a broken leg, prevented him from playing rugby union at a top level.
[6][7][11][12][13] On 15 January 2005 Clancy made his Heineken Cup debut when he took charge of a 2004–05 pool stage match between Bourgoin and Bath.
He made his senior international debut on 30 September 2006 when he took charge of a 2007 Rugby World Cup qualifier between Uruguay and the United States.
[19][20] Clancy made his Rugby Championship debut on 24 July 2010 when he took charge of a match between Australia and South Africa.
Clancy yellow carded South Africa's Bryan Habana for a high tackle on Adam Ashley-Cooper in the 65th minute.
According to Paul Cully of The Sydney Morning Herald the decision was incorrect and was "the defining moment" of the match, costing South Africa a potential victory.
A disgruntled Cardiff Blues fan threw his pint of beer at Clancy because he allegedly was unhappy with a decision made by the officials.