Darren Gleeson said Tipperary hit some bumps along the way to All-Ireland glory but doubt never crept into the side.
The Portroe stopper had to bide his time behind now-retired Tipp legend Brendan Cummins but, after eight years on the panel and two years after his first start, now has a Celtic Cross in his back pocket after a comprehensive victory over reigning champions Kilkenny.
“The word ‘doubt’ never crept into our minds; we had bumps in the road but we met them during the matches, we dealt with them all,” Gleeson told RTÉ Sport at the team hotel this morning.
“Yesterday, just after half-time, Kilkenny got a goal – we answered it with 1-08 to two points – a serious answer from a team. We’re delighted with responses like that.
“It’s easy to say ‘we had no doubts’ but we’ve 34 fantastic committed people and the backroom staff were there to drive us.
“It’s a fantastic morning to wake up All-Ireland champions. We ‘re delighted, it’s a super feeling.
“You said we got up, I don’t know if we were in bed yet.”
