THEIR HAIR was multi-shades of grey and in some cases thinning, but the Carlow hurlers of '62 and the footballers of the same season still represent a golden era (the last for the footballers) for a county with an unremarkable national image (save for the Ring Cup hurlers).

But the spring was still in the step when the All-Ireland IH champions and the NFL semifinalists took a bow and received commemorative mementos from county chairman and secretary Pat Deering and Tommy O'Neill at the final GAA 125th anniversary function in the Talbot Hotel on Wednesday.

The boys were certainly back in town and Fear an Ti Miceal O'Muircheartaigh drew rounds of laughter with tales attributed to Carlow's old soldiers, some of whom had merry moments to relate themselves.

It was a highly-enjoyable ceremony and pity none of the younger corps were there to see the men of the 'sixties who fashioned a reputation for the county, the likes of which has not been repeated.

And Carlow's elder statesmen of the association, who gave more than fleeing moment of high entertainment to thousands, came in numbers, testimony to the pride with which they wore the tricolour; all an example to those in harness and others yet to cut their teeth at inter-county level.

Indeed, might it not be a thought for some among them to be asked to address juveniles, in both clubs and schools, to encourage a better attitude to the county colours. Perhaps they might inculcate a deeper appreciation of county service and what those memories will come to mean in later life. After all they earned bragging rights.

In speaking to a number who soldiered in an era of relative social and economic deprivation, they did not seem to have answers to the deep seam of apathy which too often characterises our youth, and whose social outlets and technological opportunities curtail the time for healthier pursuits.

Nostalgia permeated the air with masterly Miceal churning the memory pit with the yarns growing as the years pass and remarkably some memories sharpened with age.

With that rather hollow 'bow' to youth in ruling that one congress delegate must hail from the 21s, a pity they were not 'introduced' to functions like this where the age profile was closer, if not well passed, to buspass qualification than a county jersey. Then sad to note that not one of the recipients who are still within he boundaries are involved in county administration; they with so much to offer.

Miceal reminded diners of the hurlers triumphs over Dublin and then Kilkenny (2-11 to 2-3) in the Leinster final in New Ross before downing Galway in Birr by 3-9 to 2-5 (the first inter-county match later president Joe McDonagh ever attended and he only 10 then). The title was Carlow's after defeating London in he final in Croke Park by 6-15 to 33. "It's nice to look back on it even thought the only video is he video of the mind."

He fast-forwarded to Carlow footballers great win over Kerry in Tralee in the first game of the league after they had won the allIreland and the memory of Pat Brophy's two goals, and the 2-7, "or was it 3-7" from Brendan Hayden against Kilkenny in he championship. Later Brendan 'admitted' that it was Tommy Kehoe who scored one of the goals.

Mementos were presented to the following footballers (or to relatives/representatives in the cases of deceased players) Ned Doogue Mick Power Pat Somers Billy Canavan Pat Brophy Sean Nolan Joe Gorman Ed 'Cran' Hogan Enda Smith Eddie Walker Mick Donovan Brendan Hayden Tommy Kehoe Mick Nolan Willie Hogan Peter Walker Paks Connolly Paddy Lowry Genie Kelly Eamon Long Mick Redmond Willie Walsh Tom Murphy Eamon Fitzpatrick Martin Hogan Eddie Aughney Vinny Harvey John Kelly Joe Nolan and selectors Andy Redmond Aiden McGee Andy Murphy Jimma Rea John J. Doyle and Chris Maher.

Eamon Long announced that he played with "the best men Carlow ever produced in football and hurling" noting that not too many teams put 5-5 up on Kerry in Tralee, with Eamon weighing in with 1-2 and adding that the team of '57 which defeated all-Ireland finalists Cork "was the finest team ever to come out of Carlow."

Selector John J Doyle was of no doubt that had Carlow had the team of '62 they would win the Leinster championship. "They had everything, courage, ability, strength and the football," recalling how they beat Kerry he all-Ireland champions in Dr. Cullen Park in '55.

Hurlers honoured were captain Pat Somers Willie Hogan Peter McGovern Willie Walsh Paddy O'Connell Martin Hogan Moling Morrissey Tony Fortune Brendan Hayden Dickie Hickey Ned Gladney Liamy Walsh Mick O'Brien 'Black' Willie Walsh Christy Hynes Ben Mulhall Tom Nolan and Noel Gorman with selectors Jimmy Phelan (who played for Kilkenny in the Thunder and Lightning final of '39) Fr. Alfie Murphy Bill O'Toole Paddy Lawlor Jack Monaghan John Mulhall and Dickie Sheppard.

Pat Somers remembered the hurlers of '62 as "outstanding players of great skill, which was developed through the schools and minor teams."

Moling Morrissey admitted that he was too young to appreciate how good the '62 team was. "They were super players and would hold their own with any team in Ireland at the time."