Kildare's Tommy Carew: Playing career - "At 19 I was a member of the Kildare team that won the All-Ireland title in 1965. We came from nowhere to win it and it would have been the highlight of my playing career. As to why the county didn't build on it more, well there were a few things. Too much was expected, for one. The week after a load of us were thrown into the senior team for an O'Byrne Cup match. A lot of older players - good, experienced fellows - were let go too quickly. They should have been held on to a lot longer.

"I also played and lost two Leinster finals, in '71 and '78. Our preparations were laughable for Offaly in '71. The training was hapless. We needed someone with an iron fist because there was too much individualism amongst that group of players. In '78 (against Dublin), Eamonn O'Donoghue was first class in his preparations, but we just didn't have the talent.

"I also played with the county hurling team from 1965 - we won an All-Ireland junior in '66, an intermediate title in '69 and a couple of B titles. We ran Wexford to four points in '76 and they got to an All-Ireland after. I retired from the intercounty scene in 1980, but I played club hurling (Coill Dhubh, played football with Clane) up until about five years ago."

Coaching career - "Have coached and still coach a lot of teams. Started with Clane and Coill Dhubh, and have coached clubs from all over the place since. Coached Blessington to a Wicklow title in '83.

"Involved in county team (senior and under-21) with Mick O'Dwyer from 1990 to '92. It was a great experience, O'Dwyer's strength as a motivator has to be seen to be believed."