The proverbial game of two halves; the first dreadful, the second 40 minutes marginally better at Lansdowne Road on Saturday. It was mind-numbing tedium, a war of attrition between two packs who craved physical contact, some players even detouring to find a tackler.
Against this backdrop it was scarcely surprising that try scoring chances were at a premium. The back play was predictable and laboured, cutbacks the favoured option. When the ball occasionally ventured further than the centres, the respective wings were afforded about two feet of pitch to ply their trade.
Yet, even then Lansdowne's right wing Marcus Dillon appeared sharp and incisive, beating Ollie Winchester comprehensively on several occasions. Predictably, the total number of passes he received could be counted by a pre-school toddler.
Lansdowne coach Michael Cosgrave was adamant that the game did not lend itself to expansive rugby but then, what match will in competitive league fixtures? That he preferred to dwell on the excellence of the Lansdowne defence - which was watertight - encapsulates Saturday's fare and perhaps a mindset.
Victory is paramount, the manner in which it is achieved of no great import. That is possibly excusable from a club's perspective but generally makes for grim viewing to those who enjoy rugby that occasionally deviates from the Irish stereotype of kick and chase. A climate dominated by the fear of failure isn't going to inspire players to extend themselves.
It was a pity to watch players like Barry Everitt, Shane Horgan and Marcus Dillon idle their way through proceedings, only offering glimpses of the talent they possess. Clontarf resembled a one-trick pony, focused on battering a path through the heart of the Lansdowne pack.
No blame could be attached to their pack who worked hard, especially Colin Power, Craig Brownlie, Peter McQuillan and captain Bernard Jackman, tirelessly taking the game to Lansdowne, but when they did look to change the focus of attack, they were predictable and ponderous behind the scrum: only scrum-half Ronan O'Reilly and to a lesser extent Mark Woods looked to open the door rather than batter it off its hinges.
Clontarf's defence was generally solid but Lansdowne spurned three gilt-edged scoring opportunities, ones that served to frustrate coach Cosgrave: "I would prefer if we took those chances, we need to sharpen up, be more clinical in those positions.
"We have not reached anything like the level of which we are capable. There are still a few gears left." That will be heartening news for Lansdowne supporters and an ominous warning for future opponents. Pacesetters over Christmas and unbeaten in three matches, from a practical perspective it's been an ideal opening salvo.
Lansdowne have reason to be indebted to full-back Rory Kearns over the three matches, particularly on Saturday. Five successful penalties from six attempts, two from long range, kept the scoreboardticking over at a time when the team spluttered fitfully in sight of the Clontarf posts.
They will also be pleased with the balance and effectiveness of their backrow, in which Liam Toland has been outstanding. When Lansdowne are at their best, it is the former Ireland A international who ensures continuity between one phase and another. He appears to have recovered fully from serious injury.
The home side had reasonably claims for a penalty try on 11 minutes when referee Tony Redmond penalised Clontarf metres from their line for offside infringements three times: the third occasion prompted a lecture for Jackman. The visitors survived and with the match drifting into injury time in the first half, trailed only to a single Kearns penalty.
They received an unexpected fillip when Toland was penalised for a high tackle, Murphy kicked a fine penalty. Two Kearns penalties in the opening 10 minutes of the second half appeared to settle Lansdowne and they began to play with greater authority, Toland, the McEntee brothers, Paul Grimes and Enda Bohan especially conspicuous.
Two further penalties from the Lansdowne full-back in the 65th and 69th minutes ensured a comfortable closing 10 minutes, albeit that Clontarf belatedly injected a little urgency into their play.
Scoring sequence: 4 mins: Kearns penalty, 3-0; 42: Murphy penalty, 3-3. 42: Kearns penalty, 6-3; 45: Kearns penalty, 9-3; 65: Kearns penalty, 12-3; 69: Kearns penalty, 15-3.
Lansdowne: R Kearns; M Dillon, S Horgan, K McQuilkin (Capt), N Gunne; B Everitt, D O'Mahony; R Corrigan, P Grimes, E Bohan; S O'Connor, G Fulcher; S McEntee, C McEntee, L Toland. Replacements: W Aherne for O'Connor (69 mins).
Clontarf: M Woods; C Bewley, M Smith, T Meagher, O Winchester; R Murphy, R O'Reilly; W O'Kelly, B Jackman (Capt), P McQuillan; R Vorster, C Power; A Dignam, C Brownlie, P Ward. Replacements: D Moore for Dignam 39 mins; H Hurley for O'Kelly (h-t); R O'Neill for Bewley (60 mins).
Referee: T Redmond (Leinster).
