The parents in Moneyglass are not any strangers to cheering on one in every of their very own on an enormous stage.

Willie John McBride, who went on to star for the British and Irish Lions, was born within the small County Antrim village. So, too, was Grand Nationwide winner AP McCoy.

Now, St Ergnat’s are hoping to observe of their footsteps.

It has already been a memorable yr for the membership. After securing a fifth straight Antrim title, they conquered Ulster for the primary time in November, beating Errigal Ciaran within the closing.

Ruling the province was a practical goal for Moneyglass this yr, however few outdoors the squad – who’re led by former Donegal women boss Maxi Curran – would have anticipated them to achieve the All-Eire closing.

However they’ve gleefully defied expectations. Beating Dublin’s Kilmacud Crokes within the semi-final a fortnight in the past means they may grow to be first Antrim aspect to grace the most important stage in women membership soccer at Croke Park on Saturday (16:00 GMT).

“Coming into this yr, we simply wished to go a bit additional than final yr,” says Aoife Kelly.

“Getting overwhelmed within the semi-finals two years in a row, off the again of attending to the 2022 Ulster closing, so the aim was to get again to the Ulster closing, we received there, received it and we have been taking it recreation by recreation.

“It was no coincidence we received Ulster, we have now been constructing to it for the previous couple of years.”