THE LIKES OF Dublin manager Pat Gilroy, his star forward Bernard Brogan and Hill 16 legend Kevin Heffernan today launched a new DVD which captures All-Ireland deciders from decades ago.

The IFI Irish Film Archive production, GAA Football Gold, features highlights of Sam Maguire deciders from the National Film Institute which have been made available to own at home for the first time.

The release features finals from the 1940s and ’50s featuring players like Galway’s Frankie Stockwell and Seán Purcell, Cork’s Denis ‘Toots’ Kelleher, the aforementioned Kevin Heffernen, Kerry’s Mick O’Connell and Seán Murphy; and Cavan’s Peter Donohoe, P.J Duke and John Joe O’Reilly.

The DVD includes victories for Kerry, Meath, Dublin, Mayo and Galway as well as a golden era for Cavan football with three wins and a rare All-Ireland victory for Louth.

The films have been remastered and digitised by the staff of the IFI Irish Film Archive, who preserve the original film reels in climate-controlled vaults.

Here’s some of our favourite stills from the films.