The couple had expected their newborn to arrive later in the week, with Ciara's due date set for November 12. Confident he would make it to Dublin and back before the baby's arrival, Stephen had all his plans in place.

"I had the match and hotel booked for Sunday. My partner was due on November 12, so I thought I might get down to the match, get back and then the baby would be born," said Stephen.

However, Nylah had other ideas.

"She was born about quarter past two, just before the match."

He praised Ciara for everything she went through, adding that both mother and baby are doing well.

To top off an already unforgettable day, Derry City went on to lift the FAI Cup thanks to a 1-0 victory over Waterford.

"It was a great day, I must say," Stephen said. "I couldn't even watch the match because we were in the labour ward. I checked my phone every so often. I'm just glad they won. I've seen nothing of the game, I've only seen the goal online."

Nylah’s aunt had bought a Derry City babygrow two months before the final, and Ciara and Stephen wasted no time introducing their daughter to the Candystripes.

Stephen added that she will be raised a Derry City fan.

Stephen said: "Everybody keeps saying she waited until the match kicked off. I'm still buzzing from the whole day."

Stephen recalled a chance meeting with Derry City captain Michael Duffy at a local restaurant just weeks earlier.

"The other week we went to Chili's, our favourite restaurant, and Mickey Duff came in. We were speaking to him and he wished us good luck."

It is unlikely that Stephen will ever forget Sunday, November 8.