Kilkenny City gifted UCD two first-half goals on Saturday at Belfield. Sean Riordan knocked the ball past his goalkeeper, Robert Forde, under pressure from Mick O'Byrne.
Kilkenny scored a glorious equaliser on 27 minutes when Tommy Byrne unleashed a terrific left-foot drive. But O'Byrne cleverly chipped home just before the interval to restore the students' lead.
UCD: Ryan; McLoughlin, McAuley, Delaney, O'Donnell; Mooney, Martyn, Lynch, Martin; Grogan, O'Byrne. Subs: Kavanagh for Grogan (66 mins), Bennis for Martyn (90 mins).
Kilkenny City: Forde; Brennan, Byrne, Riordan; Mulcahy, Kenny, Costello, Mullen, Carolan; Kabia, Murray. Subs: Parkes and Jordan for Mullen and Kenny (both 73 mins).