ASPIRING footballer Louise McDaniel believes seeing the SSE Women’s FA Cup final has inspired her to go on and try to replicate the quality show on the Wembley pitch.

McDaniel, from Belfast, was one of the SSE Next Generation scheme athletes given a special behind-the-scenes tour of Wembley Stadium on cup final day.

She also got to watch the match, which saw reigning FA WSL champions Manchester City beat Birmingham City 4-1, with goals from Lucy Bronze, Izzy Christiansen, Carli Lloyd and Jill Scott as the Citizens claimed the cup for the first time in their history.

McDaniel, who currently plies her trade for Linfield Ladies, is a Northern Ireland under-19 international and the age of just 16 and the teenager says seeing some of the world’s most high-profile stars at the national stadium has filled her with inspiration as she looks to kick on with her own career in the game.

“I love football, I’ve been playing from young age and so I joined a team and have been going ever since,” she said.

“Every young girl’s dream is to grow up and play in the final, and it’s such a good experience to come here and watch.

“It was my first time at Wembley, I’m really excited about it. It means a lot to be here.

“Women’s football is really growing, you’re hearing more about it these days. It was a really good game too – we got to go behind the scenes, sit in the media box and watch the press conference with the managers.

“I enjoyed the whole day, it was a really good experience and I really enjoyed it.

“It’s really motivated me to become better as an athlete and push on. I’d love to come back here one day – it would mean a lot.”

McDaniel, who made her first-team debut for Linfield aged just 14 and operates primarily as a winger, is one of 50 athletes to benefit from being part of the SSE Next Generation scheme for 2017.

And she said that the backing given to her is another reason her burgeoning career is on the right track.

“It means a lot to be an SSE Next Gen athlete it helps fund me to get better, pays for my equipment and I’m thankful for it,” she added.

“The support is really, really useful.”

Since 2013, SSE is proud to make a difference to young people, their families and their communities, by investing in the future of sporting talent through the SSE Next Generation scheme. Keep up to date @YourSSE