Five Mayo men alive in 1951 recall All-Ireland glory: 'To see them win again would be just incredible'

What was it like to be a young supporter from Mayo in 1951? Five men fortunate to be alive when Seán Flanagan lifted the Sam Maguire Cup after defeating Meath recall that glorious day 70 years ago.

THE MEN OF 1951: The Mayo senior football team that won the 1951 All-Ireland senior title by beating Meath. Back row, left to right: James Quinn, Eugene Quinn (brothers of Fr Peter Quinn), Paddy Jordan, Mick Loftus, John Forde, Joe Gilvarry, Tom Langan, Paddy Irwin, John McAndrew, Dr Jimmy Laffey (chairman, Mayo Co Board), Henry Dixon, Liam Hastings, Mick Mulderrig, Gerald Courell (trainer), Pat Conway (treasurer, Mayo Co Board). Front row: Willie Casey, Jackie Carney (trainer), Sean Wynne, Mick Flanagan, Eamonn Mongey, Seán Mulderrig, Fr Peter Quinn, Pádraig Carney, Seán Flanagan, Paddy Prendergast, Jimmy Curran and Joe Staunton.

Seán Rice, Breaffy and Castlebar Mitchels. Sports journalist

I was around 12 or 13 in ’51. It wasn’t as it is now. There was no hullabaloo. We were all mad about football and were all mad about the Langans and Flanagans but I can’t remember flags and bunting being out as is the case now.