By Pete Oliver

McIlroy is seeking a Conference promotion double

Sammy McIlroy's mind will be elsewhere as he tunes in to watch Manchester United seek another Double against Chelsea in the FA Cup final.

Former Old Trafford favourite McIlroy's concentration will be on a Wembley date 23 hours later when he leads out his Morecambe side to take on Exeter City in the Conference play-off final.

McIlroy told BBC Sport: "All I will be thinking about is Morecambe.

"It is great for the boys that we are playing at Wembley after the FA Cup final. But we have got a job to do.

"We will watch it at the hotel on a big screen and I think it will help. I'll be able say 'that's what it's all about. Take it in and get yourself prepared.'"

McIlroy won the FA Cup with United against Liverpool 30 years ago, in between the final defeats he tasted against Southampton in 1976 and Arsenal three years later.

Memories will be put aside as McIlroy bids to emulate Dagenham boss John Still in leading a second club up into the Football League following his title success with Macclesfield Town a decade ago.

It is a fantastic achievement for Morecambe to get to Wembley and ranks with anything I have done in football Morecambe boss Sammy McIlroy

"As a player I have been lucky enough to play in three FA Cup finals and two World Cups," added the former Northern Ireland international.

"I had a happy enough career as a player but as a manager you take the moments as they come along.

"I had some great moments with Macclesfield and with Northern Ireland. Perhaps that job came along too soon, but you don't turn down your country.

"This now has the same feeling as Macclesfield. It is a fantastic achievement for Morecambe to get to Wembley and ranks with anything I have done in football."

After the disappointment of play-off semi-final defeat 12 months ago, McIlroy is determined to take the Shrimps into League Two for the first time.

He said: "We're that close to Morecambe being a Football League club.

"The players will never have a better opportunity to be League players. It's down to those 90 minutes at Wembley."

McIlroy tasted success and defeat in Wembley Cup finals as a player

McIlroy took charge at Christie Park midway through last season after the long-serving Jimmy Harvey was taken ill.

Captain Jim Bentley has been a key part of the set-up for five years as he looks to finally resurrect hopes of a League career which were dashed when he was released by Manchester City in 1997.

After two play-off defeats, the 30-year-old is determined to make it third time lucky against an Exeter side which finished two points and three places behind Morecambe in the Conference.

He said: "I left Manchester City 10 years ago with the intention of getting back into League football. It has taken 10 years to get the chance.

"I was sad to leave City but when you are young you get over things quicker.

"You don't know where your career will take you but I have worked hard and I have been fortunate to play at a good level and stay full-time for most of that time since.

I was always proud to say my dad played at Wembley Morecambe captain Jim Bentley

"I have always wanted to play in the Football League and I have always said if I played in the League I would be happy.

Bentley will follow in the footsteps of his father Jack, twice an FA Trophy finalist with Telford United, when he steps out at Wembley.

"As a kid growing up I was always proud to say my dad played at Wembley," Bentley added.

"Now it's my turn and hopefully my boy will grow up and say the same.

"As a kid you always want to play at Wembley but we would play Exeter here, at Exeter or in the park.