Derry City won the FAI Cup final against Waterford 1-0 at Aviva Stadium on Sunday, ending the Blues' hopes of a first trophy in 46 years. Darragh Burns scored the decisive goal in the 69th minute to secure Derry's seventh cup triumph, a repeat of the scoreline from their last meeting just days earlier on Sunday 8 November.
Waterford, who sit seventh in the Premier Division with 43 points from 36 games, could not find a response despite making four substitutions. The defeat extends a mixed run of form that has seen the team win three and lose two of its last five league matches, a sequence of three wins and two defeats that mirrors their recent form of three wins and two losses.
Key moments
Burns settled the contest with a finish just before the 70-minute mark. Waterford's attempts to rally were hampered by discipline, with Long and Mawene both shown yellow cards. Mawene's booking came in second-half stoppage time as the game slipped away.
Patrick McClean was named man of the match for his defensive work in keeping Waterford at bay. The result means Derry City avenged their 2024 final defeat, while Waterford's search for major silverware goes on.
League context
The cup final loss comes amid a league campaign where Waterford have scored 54 goals but conceded 61, leaving them with a goal difference of minus seven. They are 25 points behind leaders Shamrock Rovers in the standings. Their most recent Premier Division outing was a 3-2 win at Shelbourne on Friday 30 October, a game in which Tom Lonergan, the club's top scorer this season with nine goals, was on target and also provided an assist.
Waterford's next fixture is a return to league action against Shelbourne, a rematch of that recent victory. The team will look to bounce back quickly from this cup disappointment as they aim to finish the season strongly.
