The manager has been recalling how his dad's mates would pile round to the family home before settling down to watch the showpiece final.
"The FA Cup is something that in our household was a major event and I'm sure it was in a lot of households throughout the country," he said.
"As we were growing up through the 1980s, cup final days started at 9.30 in the morning with It's A Knockout and continued all the way through to the game.
"By the time the match started the curtains were drawn and there were maybe 20 guys from my dad's local in the house and it was just a great way to watch the game for a young lad growing up.
"While it's not quite like that anymore, it's still the FA Cup and we all dream of getting to the final and we'll be striving to get to the next round. We know it will be a difficult game for us but hopefully it will be difficult for Sunderland."
The fact that it's a local derby adds extra spice to the occasion, but Mowbray always takes the chance to progress in any cup competition very seriously and his eyes will be firmly on the prize on Sunday.
"Every club wants to do well and punch above their weight in the FA Cup and this is a weekend when we're going to have to do that if we're going to progress," he said.
"Martin (O'Neill) seems to have turned things around and got some good results. We know it's a tough game but you never know in football. As we found out against Shrewsbury in the last round, there are no easy games.
"Sunderland are in good form and sitting very comfortably in the table, while we've hit a sticky patch of form for whatever reasons.
"But whoever we have in the side will give a very honest performance and work very hard.
"We'll go to the Stadium of Light and make sure Sunderland know they've been in a game.
"It can be quite a daunting place to go and play but if you're on top and there are a few moans and groans you can turn it into a positive. But we'll wait and see. Let's hope we have a good day in front of goal."
Mowbray and O'Neill locked horns as managers of Hibs and Celtic in the Scottish Premier League and later in Midlands derbies as West Brom and Aston Villa bosses.
However, this is the first taste of a North East derby - in the hotseat, at least, in Mowbray's case - for both men.
"I don't need to eulogise about Martin O'Neill's career, it's there for everybody to see," Mowbray said when asked about how highly he rates his opposite number.
"North of the border he's remembered for his amazing achievements at Celtic and before that there were his achievements with cup finals at Leicester.
"I was manager in the West Midlands when he was manager of Villa and I think for three years on the bounce they finished sixth in the Premier League.
"We know his team will be difficult to play against and very highly motivated. He's not the sort to put out weakened teams and I'm sure it will be a very good contest."
Boro go to Wearside badly hit by injuries and suspension and Mowbray will be a happier man when he has his full squad available once again.
"Some people who have been very important to the side are now missing," he said. "Hopefully when those players come back we can finish the season strongly.
"We've given ourselves a platform of points that whatever we go from now, if we finish strongly with our best players on the pitch we won't be too far adrift.
"But there are a lot of clubs who will be saying that. Right down to half way, they'll feel they're still in touch."
Right now, however, Mowbray's attentions are fixed firmly on the chance to progress in the cup.
He said: "As the manager I'll be preparing my team for any other match. We'll hopefully be prepared and go and give a good account of ourselves."
