Waterford FC’s dream of ending a 46-year wait for FAI Cup glory ended in heartbreaking fashion at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday afternoon as Derry City edged a fiercely contested final by the narrowest of margins.
A crowd of 36,093 witnessed a tense and absorbing Club Orange FAI Cup Final in which Graham Coughlan’s side matched their opponents for long periods, created several chances of their own and pushed desperately for an equaliser right to the death.
Ultimately, however, Darragh Burns’ superb second-half strike proved decisive as the Candystripes claimed the trophy and left the Blues wondering what might have been.
While defeat was difficult to accept for Waterford’s players, management and supporters, the travelling sea of blue that packed into the Dublin 4 venue could take immense pride in the effort and commitment shown by their side on the biggest stage in Irish football.
The game began at a frantic pace, with referee Kevin O’Sullivan allowing a physical edge to the contest as both teams battled to gain an early foothold.
Waterford created the first real opening after nine minutes. Conan Noonan’s pressing forced Brandon Fleming into conceding a corner on the right and Benny Couto delivered a dangerous cross that found John Mahon at the back post, but the defender could only direct his header wide.
Derry responded on 13 minutes when Michael Duffy collected possession on the right flank, shifted onto his favoured left foot and fired towards goal, forcing Stephen McMullan into a smart save low to his left.
Just a minute later Waterford came agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock. Jorgen Voilas won a free-kick in a dangerous area and Couto’s dipping delivery deceived everybody inside the penalty area before crashing back off Brian Maher’s crossbar with the goalkeeper beaten.
The Blues continued to threaten and Conan Noonan had a sight of goal midway through the half after good work involving Mahon, Tommy Lonergan and Pádraig Amond. However, the winger’s effort lacked sufficient power and Maher gathered comfortably.
Waterford were given a warning at the other end on 29 minutes when Ellis Chapman found the net for Derry, only for assistant referee Darragh Keegan to immediately raise his flag for offside.
Tommy Lonergan, whose goals had played such a huge role in Waterford’s run to the final, nearly produced another magic moment on 33 minutes. The striker cleverly peeled away from his marker to meet a flicked throw from Couto but could not keep his header down as the chance drifted wide.
The sides went into the interval level, with Waterford more than holding their own against their Premier Division rivals.
The Blues made a positive start to the second period and looked capable of forcing a breakthrough. On 50 minutes, excellent interplay down the left saw Lonergan feed Noonan, but Maher was equal to his effort from a tight angle.
Seconds later, Pádraig Amond saw a goalbound effort blocked by desperate Derry defending before Kevin Long became the first player booked following a tug on the halfway line.
Another gilt-edged opportunity arrived on 56 minutes when Lonergan rose to meet a Couto corner, but under pressure from Nick Twisk he headed over from close range.
Amond then turned creator, knocking a header into the path of Couto, but the wing-back was unable to generate enough power to seriously trouble Maher.
Having survived that spell of pressure, Derry punished Waterford with the game’s decisive moment.
On 69 minutes Burns found space just outside the box and skipped away from challenges by Couto and Evan McLaughlin before unleashing a brilliant left-footed strike beyond McMullan and into the corner of the net.
It was a bitter blow for Waterford, who had given as good as they got throughout the contest and were still very much in the game.
The Blues refused to lie down. Noah Mawene, scorer of the dramatic semi-final winner against Bohemians, flashed a shot past the far post after being released by McLaughlin on 78 minutes.
Waterford continued to force the issue and another chance arrived six minutes from time when Couto delivered a cross from the left that Lonergan met with a looping header, only to see it drift agonisingly wide.
The closing moments were filled with controversy as Waterford appealed strongly for a penalty in stoppage time when Mawene appeared to be brought down inside the area. Their frustrations increased moments later when substitute Dean McMenamy also went to ground under pressure, but referee O’Sullivan waved away both appeals.
There was to be no late reprieve. When the final whistle sounded seconds later, Derry’s celebrations began while Waterford’s players sank to the turf in disappointment.
The cup may have slipped from their grasp, but Waterford’s journey to the final and their courageous performance on Irish football’s biggest domestic stage ensured they departed with their heads held high.
DERRY CITY: Maher; Dummigan, Stott, McClean, Fleming; Twisk, O’Reilly; Burns (Dos Santos 77), Clarke (Boyce 85), Duffy; Chapman.
WATERFORD FC: McMullan; Cann, Mahon, Long; Couto; Voilas (McMenamy 75), McLaughlin (Heeney 89), Mawene, Noonan; Lonergan, Amond.
Referee: Kevin O’Sullivan (Cork).
Attendance: 36,093.
