The reigning champions from Croxteth, Liverpool, have an illustrious history in Sunday football, having won two national titles in the past three years, and reaching four finals since 2009.
Oyster Martyrs v Humbledon Plains Farm
FA Sunday Cup Final
Ewood Park, Blackburn
Sunday 27 April 2014
Ahead of their Final showdown with Sunderland-based side Humbledon Plains Farm, McNulty said: “We are well aware of the expectations people have of us and I believe we can handle it.
“We are as down-to-earth a group of lads as you will find. There are no egos – and if there were then they wouldn’t last long.
Oyster Martyrs were formed in 1974 by Neil’s father Pat, while brother Shaun is the club secretary. Family runs through the core of the club, with Wayne Rooney’s family also heavily involved.
Oyster Martyrs celebrate their 2013 FA Sunday Cup victory
The manager added: “This club is a family to me but then it is the same way for all the lads.
“I went from watching the team play to playing for 20 years, and then managing them for four years, and I know a lot of people feel the same way as me – that we are more than a bunch of mates and that shows in the way we play for each other.”
Oyster Martyrs were dealt a blow when striker Thomas Rooney suffered a long-term groin injury, but Jamie Turner, 18, and Ben Garrity, 17, have stepped up to first-team duties and excelled themselves.
McNulty says he has no fears that the youngsters will be intimidated by playing at such an illustrious venue as Ewood Park.
“We keep asking more and more of these lads and yet they never fail to deliver,” he said.
“You ask yourself are these lads going to be overawed by the occasion and they always answer in a positive way.”
And in Leighton McGivern, captain Tony Rendell and Jamie Rainford, Oyster Martyrs have players with experience of the professional game.
“I just think that we’ve got a bunch of determined lads who also have real quality,” said McNulty.
“We have 20 lads who week in, week out who have that Scouse determination.”
