Cavan Under 21 selector Ronan Carolan praised his side as the 'best team yet' as the Breffni County delivered their fourth Cadbury Ulster Under 21 Football title in a row at the Athletic Grounds tonight.

The reigning champions were on the rocks late on, trailing by two points in the 58th minute, but registered an unanswered 1-3 to take silverware.

Although Cavan have claimed provincial silverware in each of the past three years, Carolan feels the current crop are the best of the lot.

"They've had the experience of the past few years, but too their credit they never gave up," he said after the game.

"They are fantastically calm heads, who will be fatigued after 60 minutes of football, their fourth game in as many weeks of Championship football, and still they remained calm.

"The one thing we have always said, and we honestly believe this - this is the strongest panel that we've had.

"We have had some fantastic panels, but we honestly believe this is the strongest. There are 10 players here that you have to tell every week that they won't be togging out.

"I'm sure they are happy, but hurting tonight. It's a reflection of what has developed over the last five years, we are now having trial matches and the standard of football is fantastic and long may it continue."

Cavan became only the second team to take four Ulster Under 21 titles in succession, following on from the Tyrone team of 2000-2003.

Carolan says its a golden period for Cavan football.

"Chatting to a couple of the wise heads over the past few days, it's all about keeping the momentum going to the Senior team.

"It's great in its own right, but when you win four titles at this level it's not enough. We have spoken all year that we are planning for a whole All-Ireland series without being complacent and arrogant. You have to plan for it as the games come around every week and you will be potentially caught.

"Going back to this panel, it has proven tonight when you see the personel that have come off the bench that they know what to do, are very comfortable on the ball and they are just an absolute pleasure to work with." Tweet

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