Magical Cup thrills McIlroy

By Pete Oliver

McIlroy experienced FA Cup highs and lows in his playing days

Sammy McIlroy has the sort of FA Cup pedigree that gives his Morecambe side the chance of pulling off an upset against Swindon.

McIlroy played in three finals in the 1970s for Manchester United, and even though he finished on the losing side twice, the Wembley occasions provided him with great memories.

The former Northern Ireland midfielder told BBC Sport: "I lost two finals and won one so there are mixed emotions, but it was great to get to three finals.

"Getting to the final was the main thing and winning it the icing on the cake.

"I have some great memories of the earlier rounds as well and to win three semi-finals was a magnificent feeling."

McIlroy was on the losing side in two of the greatest Wembley finals.

The first saw Southampton's classic underdog's victory in 1976, the other was the epic against Arsenal in 1979 when McIlroy scored but United were ultimately deflated by Alan Sunderland's dramatic last-gasp winner.

I still think it's the best cup competition in the world Sammy McIlroy

Sandwiched in between was a victory over Liverpool in 1977.

McIlroy said: "Beating Liverpool when they were going for the treble was a great feat. The winner's medal is in the cabinet and they can't ever take that away."

For McIlroy the magic of the FA Cup remains undiminished.

"A few years ago they tried to take a bit of the gloss of it when some people said it wasn't so important," he added.

"But I still think it's the best cup competition in the world. It's watched all over the world and getting the final back to Wembley will bring all the glamour back.

McIlroy played in three finals for Man Utd

"It's still a major trophy. Players and supporters love to get to a final and for a small club like Morecambe to be in the second round with a chance of getting into the third is fantastic."

Conference club Morecambe have been to the third round three times before, twice losing out to Ipswich at that stage within the past five years.

Wins over Moor Green and Kidderminster have set up a meeting with a Swindon side which has overcome the departure of Dennis Wise to regroup under Paul Sturrock and climb back to second spot in League Two.

"Paul Sturrock is an experienced manager and knows what it's all about. They have had their ups and downs but they seem to be back on course," said McIlroy.

"We know we are in for a tough game but we are looking forward to it. It's a great day for the supporters, the directors and the players, who have been asked to do things they never would in any other competition.

"They have been getting a lot of publicity, but they will have their feet on the ground on Saturday.

"If we could get into the third round it would be a hell of an achievement, like reaching a final. We will be the underdogs but we are going there without fear to have a go."

Like Swindon, Morecambe, who have a potential match-winner in former Manchester United trainee striker Michael Twiss, are also pursuing a promotion challenge.

Everyone loves the FA Cup, a big third-round tie could set us up for a year or two Sammy McIlroy

A Football League place remains their dream and after reaching the Conference play-offs last season are well placed again in seventh spot thanks to a run of just one defeat in nine games.

McIlroy therefore has priorities to juggle but is happy to let the league take a back seat for one more day at least.

"It's a nice little break for the players," he said.

"Promotion is our aim. We have been up there for the last couple of years and we want to stay there.

"If we get into the play-offs again hopefully we will be able to take it a step further than last year.

"But everyone loves the FA Cup and if we could get a big third-round tie it could set us up for a year or two."