Waterford FC have the opportunity to end a 46-year wait for FAI Cup glory this afternoon as they take on Derry City in the Club Orange Men’s FAI Cup Final at the Aviva Stadium.

It is the first time the two clubs have met in an FAI Cup final, with both sides looking to finish their 2026 campaigns with silverware and a place in European football.

For Waterford, this is their first appearance in the final since 2004 and a chance to claim the trophy for only the third time in their history.

The Blues first lifted the cup in 1937, defeating St James’s Gate, before Brian Gardiner’s goal secured a 1-0 victory over St Patrick’s Athletic in 1980.

Derry City are chasing a seventh FAI Cup success and will be making their third final appearance in five seasons.

The Candystripes have reached 13 finals since joining the League of Ireland in 1985, winning six of their previous 12. Their most recent success came in 2022, when they defeated Shelbourne 4-0. They were beaten by Drogheda United in their last Aviva Stadium appearance in 2024.

Both teams have experienced very different fortunes during the league campaign, but managerial changes helped turn their seasons around.

Derry’s Mark Connolly took charge in August, having previously captained the club. He has overseen eight victories in 13 games, with just two defeats.

Waterford, meanwhile, looked in serious danger of relegation after failing to win any of their opening 16 league games. Graham Coughlan’s arrival in May helped transform their campaign, with the Blues eventually securing seventh place and Premier Division survival alongside their run to the cup final.

The four league meetings between the sides this season have been remarkably even. Both teams recorded a 4-2 victory at the Brandywell, while the other two encounters finished 2-2. Twenty goals have been scored across those matches.

Derry’s Michael Duffy will be one of the main threats for Waterford to contain. The winger has scored or assisted 21 goals in all competitions this year and is the leading scorer in this season’s FAI Cup with five goals, including both goals in the semi-final victory over Galway United.

Waterford will look towards the attacking partnership of Pádraig Amond and Tommy Lonergan, who have scored a combined 36 goals in league and cup action. Amond has also contributed a goal or assist in every one of Waterford’s cup matches this season.

Benny Couto has been another important figure for the Blues, finishing the Premier Division campaign as the league’s leading assist provider with 12.

There will also be a personal dimension for several players. Waterford’s Evan McLaughlin faces his former club, having come through Derry’s academy, while Hayden Cann and Arlo Doherty have also previously been with the Candystripes.

There is cup-winning experience within the Waterford dressing room too. Lonergan lifted the trophy with St Patrick’s Athletic in 2023, while Luke Heeney was part of Drogheda United’s winning side in 2024.

Coughlan has spoken about the importance of the Waterford supporters, praising the backing they have given the team throughout the season.

He believes the final belongs to everyone connected with the club and wants the players to reward that support by delivering a performance to remember.

Captain Pádraig Amond has also spoken of his pride at the prospect of leading Waterford out at the Aviva, saying the players are determined to give everything for the supporters and the city and county.

Waterford reached the final with victories over Cobh Ramblers, Athlone Town, Sligo Rovers and Bohemians. Derry booked their place after overcoming Tolka Rovers, UCD, Dundalk and Galway United.

With around 35,000 tickets expected to be sold, a huge crowd is set to gather in Dublin for the meeting of the Premier Division’s northernmost and southernmost clubs.

For Waterford, it is a chance to bring the FAI Cup back to the city for the first time since 1980. For Derry, it is an opportunity to add another major honour to their history.

WLR’s live coverage begins at 2.30 pm, with Ray Scott, former Waterford manager Tommy Griffin and Blues legend Pascal Keane bringing listeners all the action, with thanks to John Murphy Carpets

Competition: Club Orange FAI Cup Final 2026

Kick-off – 3:00 pm

Venue: Aviva Stadium, Dublin.

Waterford FC v Derry City – Live on WLR

Waterford FC Coverage on WLR is thanks to John Murphy Carpets

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