Derry City aims to cap rough season with FAI Cup win

Derry City enters the FAI Cup final on Sunday with the opportunity to salvage a difficult 2026 season. The Candystripes will face Waterford in a match that decides both the cup and a place in the 2027 Europa League. For much of the year, the team struggled with managerial changes and inconsistent results, but a strong late run has placed them in a final position.

Former captain Mark Connolly took over as interim manager on August 5. At that time, Derry City sat sixth in the Premier Division and had won only one of their previous seven games. Since his arrival, Connolly has won eight of his 13 matches. He guided the team to the final with victories over University College Dublin, Dundalk, and Galway United. Sunday's match also offers Connolly a chance to complete a cup double, as he recently helped Coleraine win the Irish Cup in May.

The manager noted the shift in team morale compared to earlier in the year. "Probably midway through the season, I don't think many Derry people had their hotels booked for the Aviva," Connolly said. "Now we've a trip to the Aviva and we're all going to go there and enjoy every moment of it." He emphasized that the players are looking forward to the occasion after a challenging stretch.

Derry City is favored to win the final. The team has not faced major contract uncertainty like in previous years. "The feeling now compared to the 2024 one is a drastic difference," Connolly said. "The boys are all in a really, really good place. They're happy, you can see that in training. You can see that every day, the smiles on their faces."

Waterford presents a strong challenge. The two teams have played four league matches this season, resulting in 20 total goals. Both sides won one game, and two ended in draws. Waterford secured a spot in the final after a managerial change brought stability. Their attack is led by Tommy Lonergan, who has 16 goals, and Padraig Amond, who has 15. These two players are the top scorers in the league.

Connolly warned that Waterford relies heavily on physical play and set pieces. "They're very, very big, strong and physical and they rely a lot on long throws and corners and free-kicks," he said. The manager expects a tough match but believes his team is prepared to handle the direct style. "Sunday is going to be extremely tough and fingers crossed we can finish off what's been a strange season."

The final will take place at the Aviva Stadium. Derry City seeks to close out a year marked by turmoil with a trophy. A victory would secure their spot in European competition next season and provide a positive conclusion to a campaign that was once viewed as a disappointment.