Derry City Clinches Seventh FAI Cup Title in Aviva Stadium Final
A 69th-minute strike by Darragh Burns secured a 1-0 victory over Waterford, ending a difficult season on a high note.
By Priya Marino ·
Derry City secured their seventh FAI Cup title on Sunday with a 1-0 victory over Waterford at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The decisive goal came from Darragh Burns in the 69th minute, breaking a scoreless deadlock that had persisted despite high-intensity pressure from both sides.
The path to this final began with Derry City’s return to the domestic cup after a season marked by managerial changes and inconsistent league form. Waterford entered the match as the reigning champions, having maintained a strong transition game under manager Graham Coughlan, who replaced Jon Daly in May. Derry, managed by Mark Connolly, had relied on a false nine system for much of the campaign, with James Clarke and Ellis Chapman rotating in that role.
The first half was defined by defensive resilience and set-piece threats. Waterford’s Portuguese wing-back Benny Couto delivered a long free-kick that goalkeeper Brian Maher, nursing a wrist injury all season, misjudged. The ball zipped through his gloves and struck the crossbar. Derry captain Michael Duffy also tested the defense with two speculative efforts from distance, one lacking power and the other accuracy.
Waterford created their clearest opening in the first half through a sequence involving John Mahon, Podge Amond, and Evan McLaughlin. Midfielder Conan Noonan received the ball but shot straight at Maher. Despite these chances, the scoreboard remained unchanged until Burns intervened in the second half.
As Waterford’s midfielders Noah Mawene and McLaughlin began to dominate possession, Derry invited the opposing winger to move off the right side. Burns, who returned to Derry from a second stint in England last July, used his left foot to ease past Couto and McLaughlin. He finished low past goalkeeper Stephen McMullan to give Derry the lead.
The goal sparked immediate celebration from the Derry ultras, who launched red flares onto the pitch near the north end of Lansdowne Road. The smoke reduced visibility, forcing referee Kevin O’Sullivan to pause the match for a water break. Manager Connolly had originally intended to substitute Burns at that moment, but the replacement, Kevin Dos Santos, did not enter the field until the 77th minute.
Derry’s defense, anchored by Patrick McClean and Jamie Stott, held firm against the Waterford striking partnership of Amond and Lonergan. The two forwards had combined for 36 goals this season, but McClean’s aerial dominance and Stott’s consistency limited their impact. McClean credited the team’s resilience for the win.
“I said it to Tommy after we scored, that was probably against the run of play,” McClean told RTÉ. “Words mean nothing, it’s all about actions. We have to take this and bounce into next season and challenge for the league.” He also noted that the crowd’s energy reflected the city’s determination.
Waterford had two penalty appeals waved away by O’Sullivan in the closing minutes, with Mawene and Lonergan challenging the decision. Despite the late drama, the final scoreline remained 1-0. Derry City will now celebrate their victory at the Guildhall in Derry, marking a successful conclusion to a turbulent season.
The result confirms Derry City as the cup holders and provides a platform for the club to aim for league contention in the upcoming campaign. The match saw substitute James Boyce replace Clarke in the 85th minute, while Waterford made late changes with McMenamy and Heeney entering for Volias and McLaughlin respectively.
