A look back at better days for Mayo

IF 2004 was a bad year for Mayo football fans, they can revisit memories of a better time this evening on RTE television (8.30pm).

“Bonfires over Bohola” offers a snapshot of the last Mayo side to win the Sam Maguire, the 1950-’51 team captained by Sean Flanagan.

The production team unearthed some home movie footage which takes the documentary beyond the usual moving heads and evokes the rough and tumble of 1950s club football: the ruck of midfielders and forwards for a 16-man throw-in; hatted male spectators, with v-neck jumpers under good sports coats; fans milling around behind the goals, which are notably short of nets and recognisable umpires.