Waterford FC are set to contest their first FAI Cup final since 1986 this Sunday, with club legend Alfie Hale hailing the team's new-found confidence under manager John Hale. The Blues will face Derry City at the Aviva Stadium, a match that marks a significant milestone for a club that has climbed to 7th in the Premier Division with 43 points from 36 games.

Alfie Hale, an 87-year-old who made his debut for the club at 17, reflected on his deep connection to Waterford. He won five League of Ireland titles with the Blues, including one as a player-manager, and also managed the side in the 1986 final. "I feel that I have been a jinx to Waterford," Hale said, referencing the club's long wait for another major trophy since their 1980 FAI Cup triumph. That victory, a 1-0 win over St Patrick's Athletic at Dalymount Park, ended a 46-year drought.

Managerial Stability

Current manager John Hale, who was appointed in May 2025, has been central to this revival. He guided the team away from relegation danger and was rewarded with a new three-year contract extension announced last June. His work has instilled a belief that has propelled Waterford to this final, with the team entering the match on a strong run of form. They have won four of their last five league games, including a dramatic 3-2 victory over Shelbourne just last week.

Cup Momentum and Form

That recent 3-2 win at Shelbourne showed the team's resilience, with goals from Evan McLaughlin, Padraig Amond and a late winner from Tom Lonergan. Lonergan is the team's top scorer this season with nine goals. This momentum is a stark contrast to the club's last cup final appearance in 2004, which ended in a 2-1 defeat to Longford Town. The senior squad, sitting comfortably in mid-table with a goal difference of minus seven, has shown it can compete with the league's best, having drawn 2-2 with Derry City in their most recent league meeting in September.

Waterford's next fixture is a return to league action against the same Derry City side on Sunday, November 8th, a match that will see the 5th-placed Candystripes host the Blues. The club's journey to this final, built on solid management and a rediscovered winning mentality, offers a chance to create a new chapter in a history that Alfie Hale knows so intimately.

First reported at RTE.ie