Mick McCarthy says his best memories of the FA Cup have been as a manager rather than a player.

The Blues boss took Sunderland to the semi-final in 2004, where they lost 1-0 to his former club Millwall: “I’d like to say [my best memory was] when we got to the semi-final and we lost to Millwall, so it was the best and the worst, really.”

Going back a few years to 1995 he recalls a run during his time as boss of the Lions in which one of his Town coaches, Mark Kennedy, first came to prominence: “We had a good cup run when we beat Arsenal and we beat Chelsea.

“Sparky scored at Arsenal, along with Mark Beard, and we won 2-0. That’s the best I would guess in terms of managing.

“I didn’t have too much joy in the FA Cup as a player, I have to be honest. The Scottish Cup I did, I won it twice - two goes, two wins, two medals!”

McCarthy says he was a fan of the competition while growing up: “I’ve always loved the FA Cup, as a kid it was just something I always watched.

"I went to the finals as a young player at Barnsley, we used to get tickets. I loved it.

“As a manager, looking at my squad, I still love it because it’s a break from the league, but I have to tell you that if I’d lost all the players I’ve lost and we were playing in a league game, I’d be a bit more unhappy - if they were injured and I couldn’t play them in the league game this week.

“But it gives me a chance to give a break to a few of them who have played four games in two weeks. They’ve put a right shift in for me.”

Photo: Action Images

arc added 22:48 - Jan 4 He was a young player at Barnsley in the late seventies. Did anyone think to ask if he was at the final in '78?
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