Cork IT 1-12 Dublin IT 1-10: A dogged second-half performance ensured that Cork won the battle of the ITs at Grangegorman yesterday to qualify for the knockout stages as group winners.

The Leesiders had the ideal start and opened up a seven-point lead midway through the first half when Peter Downey seemed to get the telling touch to a goal after a powerful run from midfielder Stephen McDonnell.

DIT had shot wide after wide from a multitude of distances and angles. A change of tactics paid dividends though as they worked the ball closer to goal before aiming for the target.

This got them back to within a point at the break, 1-5 to 1-4, Shane Howley's goal after a scramble in the Cork area rewarding their efforts.

The second half was nip and tuck but DIT could never get their noses in front and it was CIT who finished the stronger with three points in the final five minutes from Eoin Dillon, Stephen White and Ryan Clifford (free) to emerge victorious.

CIT: M O'Donnell; J O'Callaghan, E Dillon (0-1), C Murphy; S White (0-1), R Cashman, N Teehan; L Desmond (0-1), S McDonnell; P Downey (1-0), B Corry (0-2), M Dunne; C Naughton, A Mannix (0-2), R Clifford (0-5, frees). Subs: J Kindregan for Dunne (37 mins), P Gould for Desmond (50 mins).

DIT: K Brennan; P Schutte, T Corcoran, M O'Sullivan; E Nolan, D Kennedy, S Kelly (0-1); S Howley (1-0), P Nolan; M Burke, W O'Dwyer (0-2), P Kelly (0-4, two frees); S Burke, D O'Dwyer, B McInerney (0-3, frees). Subs: E Clarke for Ryan (58 mins).

Referee: E Morris(Dublin).