TYRONE'S victorious U21 captain Kieran McGeary believes the vast majority of the Red Hand squad can prove their worth at senior level over the next few years.
The O'Neill county ended a 14-year wait to win the U21 All-Ireland crown after a pulsating final against Tipperary at Parnell Park on Saturday night.
Feargal Logan's men trailed by two points at the break and only forged ahead of the Munster champions in the 47th minute through Cathal McShane's game-changing goal.
Despite a dramatic onslaught on Tyrone's goal in stoppage-time, they managed to hold on to win by a single point.
"It's unbelievable. It hasn't really sunk in. We went out in the second half and showed how we can play," said McGeary.
"It's fantastic to be part of this group of players. You constantly feel like a winner. Every time you go to training you feel like a champion. I just hope that this is the group of players who go on and do it at senior level."
McGeary added: "There are plenty of reasons why we can do well. I know the players in that whole team will put the heads down and really focus on making it at senior level.
"I think people were exaggerating that there was no talent coming through the county. We proved we have the talent and we're an All-Ireland-winning team."
The second half of Saturday's final was delayed for over 40 minutes due to a supporter needing medical attention in the main stand.
During the anxious wait there were discussions about postponing the game. Tipp were 0-7 to 0-5 ahead at the interval but Tyrone emerged for the start of the second half the more eager of the sides.
"The delay would have upset both teams," said the Pomeroy Plunkett's clubman.
"But it didn't upset one team more than the other. It wasn't the reason why we won or they lost. It was very unfortunate. These things happen and it's how you deal with them.
"[During the break in play] we just calmed ourselves down and focused and we looked at how we played in the first half, and how we should play in the second half. We really settled ourselves down and got to grips with the game."
Tyrone launched considerably more attacks than Tipperary in the opening half hour but their shooting was wayward as they racked up 10 wides. Playing into a stiff breeze in the second half, McGeary insisted, suited the Ulstermen.
"Throughout the year we've always been better shooting against the wind," he said.
"We're a running team. I thought in the second half we had the legs on them, which proved to be vital."
Tipp's towering midfielder Colin O'Riordan hit two smashing points in stoppage-time to make it a one-point game. There were a few nervy goalmouth scrambles in the final seconds but the Tyrone defence held firm.
"It was a nervous enough finish. It must have been brutal watching it; it was worse playing in it. We knew it was going to go right down to the wire. All-Ireland finals aren't won by 10 points, or even five points.
"There is always just a point or two in it. Both teams deserved to be there and they're going to fight right to the wire. It was a dogfight right to the end and thankfully we came out on top."
McGeary also paid tribute to O'Riordan who had a brilliant game for Tipp.
"Colin O'Riordan showed what a great footballer he is with those two points in the last couple of minutes. He's a born leader and will continue to be in the future."