Clontarf started brightly and took the wide option early. Peter Maher looked certain to score, after being released by quick hands from deep in his own half, but superb covering from the UCD scrum half cut him down. UCD replied by taking the lead from a maul on the Clontarf line after a penalty for an infringement at a scrum was dispatched to the corner.
5 minutes later Alan Spicer found himself in the scrum half position 2 yards inside his own half and dispatched an outrageous kick which found its way to touch in the away 22 for a home throw. Tarf celebrated that cameo in traditional style and Dylan Donellan scored after the maul made good yards to the UCD line.
Spicer rose for the ensuing kick-off , was fouled in the air and from the resulting home lineout, near the half way, Dylan Donellan broke free and Tarf were back in the UCD red zone where, after some heavy carries Aaron Coleman got in for a well-deserved score. So Tarf went from 0 5 to 14 5 in about two minutes of play.
UCD then began to dominate territory and Clontarf were forced to defend repeated surges from the visitors. As we moved into the final 10 minutes of the first half the siege was lifted and normal service resumed with phases in the UCD 22. Fionn Gilbert made a superb offload, which released Spicer clear to the posts for 21 5. That was how it stayed until HT.