WICKLOW GAA, one of the few counties to celebrate the association's 125 Centenary in style, kept the best wine until last.

On Saturday night last Wicklow brought the curtain down on a year of celebrations with the launch of their book of photographs of the year entitled '125 and Counting'.

At the launch of the impressive 320 page production of photographs by lensman Dave Barrett, the book '125 and Counting' was favourably compared with the centenary year 'Leathers Echo' which won a national GAA award back then as one of the best county histories of the first 100 years of the association.

Mr. Jimmy Dunne once again headed the committee charged with bringing out this book of photographs and he was master of ceremonies at the launch of the book by GAA legend and Wicklow football manager Mick O'Dwyer.

Mr. Dunne said that over the past 12 months they had gone on a journey that encompassed many projects from club party days, 125 hurling and football competitions, schools celebrations, The Parnell summer school and also celebrating with Woodenbridge Golf Club as they celebrated their 125 anniversary.

'Our county Senior football team created their own big of history as they went on that voyage of success that allowed us forget all about banks, NAMA and the financial crisis that were engulfing the country. While the weather was bad the summer was great,' he declared.

Mr. Dunne said that this extraordinary book tells the story in pictures of one year in the life of Wicklow GAA and he paid tribute to photographer Dave Barrett who embraced the project with the enthusiasm of a true professional, and to designer Serephenea Alexander Brennan for the level of commitment she gave to her work on the book.

The County Board were at all times supportive of the publication.

County Chairman Andy O'Brien pointed out that the photographs in this limited edition have not appeared in any other production, making it a must for all GAA homes.

'What we see here is the result of an enormous labour of love by two very loyal GAA men, Dave Barrett and Jimmy Dunne, and he acknowledged the enormous support that both give to the GAA in Wicklow on a daily basis.

'They have given us a gem reflecting on the people and events of Wicklow GAA in 2009 and their attentions to detail sees every club in the county reflected within the covers of this book'.

Andy O'Brien expressed the hope that '125 and Counting' gets into the hands of GAA people far and wide and takes a proud place on the best bookshelves. 'We are extremely lucky to have an excellent photographic production capturing the spectrum of events organised by every club and the county to celebrate the year'.

Serephenea Alexander Brennan, the book's designer, said: 'I have no doubt but that this book will bring affirmation, appreciation, articulation, conversation, conviction and honour to those photographed, their families, curious onlookers and future generations who ponder upon this loyal documentary of Wicklow GAA in 2009'.

The book was launched at a gathering of Gaels from many parts of the county by the legendary Mick O'Dwyer, who as Jimmy Dunne said in his introduction had given a new confidence and sense of optimism and self-belief to our footballers.

Photographer Dave Barrett presented the first copy of the book to Micko who described '125 and counting' as a truly wonderful production.

He said that the GAA was a wonderful game and it was so well captured in this book that everyone should have a copy.

He said that out of all the awards and cups, the only one that really mattered was the championship and what he would be trying to do in 2010 was to win a provincial title for Wicklow.

- MARK KENNEDY