Tommy Toomey was on a high after Tipperary upset the odds to capture only their second ever Munster U21FC title.

The Premier avenged their defeats to five-in-a-row chasing Cork in the last two deciders at Thurles last night and manager Toomey was especially pleased with how his players responded to conceding a goal just 15 seconds after the restart.

"I was very pleased with the reaction of the boys given the hits we took before half-time and the hit we took after half-time," he enthused in the Irish Examiner.

"Cork normally drive on when they get that kind of a boost. Our lads held their composure well to get it back level and to stay in the game.

"Any questions that were asked of the lads this evening, they answered them all. They replied to all of Cork's crucial scores. Cork could have stolen it in the end, but that would not have been justified. Our lads deserved this."

Toomey agreed that the leadership provided by Tipp's six senior panellists was crucial to the outcome.

"Every team needs leaders, we have lads who are playing senior and they took charge here. Colin O'Riordan has gone through hell in the past fortnight, but he was never going to miss this. He worked for every ball, he kept the team on side. He really led by example. The leadership was unreal.

"We were tired at times in the game and you could see the lads had to dig it out. We are delighted with the work-rate and the overall display. This is a great night for Tipperary football."

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