Derry City face Waterford in FAI Cup final bid

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 6 Nov, 09:09 · Archive

Derry City will face Waterford in the FAI Cup final on Sunday, seeking their first win in the competition since 2022.

Derry City will face Waterford in the FAI Cup final on Sunday at the Aviva Stadium, hoping to win the competition for the first time since 2022. The match offers the club silverware and a place in the Europa League in 2027.

Manager Mark Connolly took charge on an interim basis in August after Tiernan Lynch departed, with the club sixth in the Premier Division and struggling. Connolly has won eight of his 13 games in charge and guided Derry to the final with victories over UCD, Dundalk and Galway United. For much of the season, Derry had faced managerial uncertainty, internal tensions and inconsistent performances, making a cup final appearance seem unlikely.

Connolly revealed he will return to his Director of Football role after the final. He has described the club's semi-final celebrations as a decisive moment in reconnecting Derry City with its fanbase. Victory on Sunday would give him a rare cup double, having been part of the Coleraine side that won the Irish Cup in May before moving into management.

Derry City face Waterford in FAI Cup final bid — Image: BBC Northern Ireland

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How it is being reported

Derry's last chance to turn chaos into cup gloryDerry City boss Mark Connolly talks to BBC Sport NI as he prepares his side for an FAI Cup final meeting with Waterford on Sunday.BBC Northern Ireland · 6 Nov, 08:08
FAI Cup journey has reconnected Derry City fanbase says Mark ConnollyMARK Connolly pinpointed Derry City's emotional semi-final celebrations at Eamonn Deacy Park as the decisive moment when the Brandywell club reconnected with its fanbase.Derry Journal · 4 Nov, 13:47
Mark Connolly's Derry City learning curve pays FAI Cup dividendsMARK Connolly revealed he will step out of the dugout and back upstairs to his Director of Football role at Derry City Football Club after Sunday's FAI Cup Final.Derry Journal · 4 Nov, 13:11

In this story: Mark Connolly · Derry City Football Club · Waterford · Tiernan Lynch · Coleraine · Aviva Stadium

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