Derry City were crowned 2026 Club Orange Men's FAI Cup winners following a 1-0 victory over Waterford in front of 36,093 spectators in the Aviva Stadium.

With little to separate the sides in a goalless first half, a moment of quality from Darragh Burns proved decisive in the 70th minute as his well-placed strike secured the trophy for the Candystripes. Despite late pressure from Waterford, Derry held firm to seal victory and bring the FAI Cup back to the Brandywell.

The opening chance fell to Michael Duffy in the 14th minute when the Derry City winger collected the ball down the right and cut inside onto his favoured left foot, but Stephen McMullan was equal to the effort, making a low save at his near post. Waterford responded a minute later when a free kick from the right by Couto saw the defender's effort cannon off the crossbar.

Derry had another sight of goal in the 25th minute when Chapman collected the ball outside the Waterford penalty area, but his half-volley went wide of McMullan's far post. Waterford responded in the next attacking phase when Conan Noonan collected the ball just inside the Derry penalty area, forcing Brian Maher into a clever save with a low effort.

Derry had the ball in the net in the 28th minute when Michael Duffy continued his run into the Waterford penalty area and toe-poked the ball home, but the assistant referee ruled out the goal for offside.

Tommy Lonergan went close for the Blues in the 33rd minute when a long throw into the Derry penalty area was flicked on by John Mahon, with the ball falling into the path of the onrushing striker, but he was unable to direct his header goalwards.

The first chance of the second half came in the 49th minute when Waterford's Conan Noonan evaded the challenge of Stott down the right before cutting inside and bearing down on the Derry goal. His effort from a tight angle near the byline was excellently saved by Maher at his near post.

This was followed by another Waterford chance in the 56th minute when a corner from the right by Couto was met at the back post by Lonergan, but he was unable to direct his header goalwards.

Derry had their first shot on target of the second half in the 67th minute when Clarke collected the ball following a lay-off from Duffy and struck a curling effort towards goal, but McMullan saved comfortably.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 70th minute when Darragh Burns collected a cross-field pass on the right and broke into the Waterford penalty area. Cutting onto his left foot, Burns struck a low effort that beat the outstretched McMullan at his near post to give the Candystripes the lead.

Pressing for an equaliser, Mawene struck a low effort from outside the Derry penalty area in the 79th minute, but his shot went wide of Maher's goal.

Second-half substitute Kevin Dos Santos almost added a second for the Candystripes in the 81st minute when he broke down the left following a lay-off from Duffy, but his effort from the edge of the Waterford penalty area went just wide of McMullan's far post.

Despite further half-chances for both sides in the closing stages, neither could find another goal as Derry City held firm to secure a memorable victory. The final whistle sparked memorable celebrations as the FAI Cup headed back to Foyleside for the seventh time in the club's history.

Derry City: Maher; Fleming, Stott, P. McClean, Dummigan, Twisk, O’Reilly, Chapman, Burns (Dos Santos 76), Duffy (C), Clarke (Boyce 84).

Waterford: McMullan; Couto, Mahon, Mawene, McLaughlin (Heeney 89), Amond (C), Noonan, Long, Cann, Lonergan, Voilas (McMenamy 74).

Club Orange Player of the Match: Patrick McClean.

Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan.