# Waterford and Derry City Face Off in Historic 2026 FAI Cup Final The two clubs meet at Aviva Stadium for their first-ever FAI Cup final showdown. - **Source:** [RTÉ Sport](https://www.rte.ie/sport) - **Published:** 2026-11-06 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/629baa33-da0f-4d7c-84c2-923e375c3845 ## Historic Cup Final Clash Waterford and Derry City will compete for the 2026 FAI Cup at Dublin's Aviva Stadium this Sunday. This match marks the first time these two clubs have met in the competition's final stage. Kick-off is scheduled for 3pm, with live coverage available across national broadcasting platforms for domestic football fans. ## Form and Tactical Parity Both teams enter the final following mid-season revivals after difficult starts to their league campaigns. Under interim manager Mark Connolly, Derry City improved significantly, while Graham Coughlan’s appointment in May transformed Waterford. Recent league data shows both sides maintained identical records of five wins and three draws over their last ten matches. ## Head-to-Head Competitive History The teams have proven evenly matched throughout the 2026 season. Their four league encounters produced two 2-2 draws, while each side secured a 4-2 victory against the other. This balanced record suggests a high probability of a tightly contested match that could potentially extend into extra-time or a penalty shootout. ## Waterford's Long Trophy Wait Waterford is aiming to secure their first FAI Cup title since 1980, when they defeated St Patrick’s Athletic. The club last reached the final in 2004. Manager Graham Coughlan views this appearance as a major achievement, noting that the team's primary goal was initially just to avoid relegation from the division. ## Derry City's Cup Pedigree Since joining the League of Ireland in 1985, Derry City has established a strong record in this competition. They have won the cup six times during this period, with their most recent triumph occurring in 2025. This Sunday marks their third final appearance in just five seasons, highlighting their consistent tournament performance. ## Paths to the Final Waterford’s journey included a notable 3-0 quarter-final win over Sligo Rovers and a 2-0 semi-final upset against Bohemians. Derry City reached the final by defeating Dundalk 4-2 in the quarter-finals, followed by a 2-0 victory over Galway United, where Michael Duffy scored both goals to secure their place at the Aviva. ## Squad Status and Conditions Waterford travels north with a near full-strength squad, though Sam Glenfield remains out with a long-term injury. Derry City faces a setback with Carl Winchester sidelined due to injury. Weather forecasts for Sunday predict a foggy start in Dublin, but conditions at Lansdowne Road are expected to be clear by kick-off. ## Strategic Stakes Involved For Derry City, a victory would provide a pathway to European football after missing out through league standings. For Waterford, the match represents the culmination of a remarkable turnaround under Coughlan. Both clubs are motivated by the chance to validate their improved form with a major piece of domestic silverware. ## Sources covering this story - [RTÉ Sport — Waterford and Derry City Clash in 2026 FAI Cup Final](https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/1106/1598288-2026-fai-cup-final-all-you-need-to-the-know/) - [TheJournal.ie — Derry City and Waterford Clash in 2026 FAI Cup Final](https://www.the42.ie/derry-city-waterford-fai-cup-final-7219416-Nov2026/) - [Source — Waterford and Derry City Clash in FAI Cup Final](https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/fai-cup-final-waterford-take-on-derry-city-at-aviva-stadium/a/164216172.html) - [RTÉ Sport — Derry City Faces Waterford in FAI Cup Final Showdown](https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/1108/1598421-fai-cup-final-derry-city-v-waterford-updates/) - [RTÉ Sport — Derry City Claims FAI Cup Victory Over Waterford](https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2026/1108/1598456-pride-for-connolly-after-tumultuous-year-ends-with-cup/) - [Source — Derry City's FAI Cup Victory Adds Drama to Remarkable Season](https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/daniel-mcdonnell-fai-cup-joy-just-another-twist-in-the-never-ending-soap-opera-of-derry-citys-remarkable-season/a/164270511.html) --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._