Andy Wood hails defence as Clontarf book final place

Clontarf 24 UCD 10 Ulster Bank League Division 1A semi-final Castle Avenue

Four tries to one and a 14-point winning margin suggests Clontarf had a comfortable passage through to the Division 1A final, but head coach Andy Wood highlighted his side’s defensive work as the key in victory.

It is no coincidence that the two teams with the meanest defences in the top flight this season — Clontarf and Cork Constitution — will contest the May 8 league decider. UCD had plenty of possession and territory at Castle Avenue in Saturday’s semi-final, but ‘Tarf tackled and harried them into submission.