[Mighty T.A.L.]

Keane: Title glory fantastic

Roy Keane was understandably delighted after Sunderland claimed the Championship title on the final day of the season.

The Black Cats had already ensured promotion going into their game at Luton Town and put on a show in front of a large travelling contingent with a 5-0 thrashing of the relegated Hatters.

With Birmingham City losing away to Preston North End, Sunderland were crowned champions in Keane's first season in charge.

"It's always nice, we wanted to win our game today anyway to finish our season on a high and to clinch the championship is fantastic," Keane told Sky Sports.

"I think the players deserve that, the run we've been on is fantastic and obviously the priority was to go up, but to go up as champions is always nice."

On the win over Luton, Keane added: "Today was important, we won our game, we put on a good show for our fans who travelled a long way.

"We scored five cracking goals and again a big bonus is keeping the clean sheet because that's what's given us the foundations to go on and win football matches.

"I'm delighted for everybody at the club."

Keane reserved special praise for the Sunderland faithful who stuck by the club through thick and thin this season and followed the team to Luton in numbers on Sunday.

The Irishman said: "They were everywhere and obviously we expected that but they've been like that all season, even through the days when we had a couple of bad defeats.

"They've been very supportive and hopefully they'll enjoy a few pints tonight because that's what my job is about."

Luton manager Kevin Blackwell hailed the job of Niall Quinn in getting Sunderland promoted back to the Premiership at the first attempt.

"Roy has been different class, but Niall has to take monumental praise, because he has done a fantastic job," Blackwell said.

"They have a good manager and a dynamic young board, and, at the moment, it looks like the perfect marriage."

Source: Skysports