Darragh Burns delivers Derry City’s seventh FAI Cup with winner against Waterford

Darragh Burns scored his first goal for Derry City to decide the FAI Cup final, securing a 1-0 victory over Waterford at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday. His 69th-minute finish delivered the club's seventh success in the competition and its first trophy since 2022, according to BBC Sport NI.

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Waterford created opportunities on both sides of half-time but could not turn them into a lead. Derry goalkeeper Brian Maher pushed a free-kick from Benardo Couto onto the crossbar, while Tommy Lonergan headed wide from close range after a long throw caused problems. Derry also had a Michael Duffy goal ruled out for offside in the first half.

The pressure continued after the interval, with Conan Noonan finding the side netting and Kevin Long sending a header narrowly wide. Burns then supplied the decisive finish at the other end, collecting the ball near the edge of the penalty area, moving it onto his left foot and shooting low into the corner.

The 24-year-old told BBC Sport NI that he had noticed preparations for a substitution and wanted to make an impact before leaving the pitch. He had joined Derry in July without scoring before the final. Kevin Dos Santos eventually replaced him in the 77th minute, after the goal that separated the teams at full-time.

Waterford, appearing in their first FAI Cup final since 2004, continued searching for an equaliser. Noah Mawene shot narrowly wide, while Dos Santos missed the target for Derry as chances came at both ends. Derry protected their advantage through the closing stages, leaving Waterford without a goal despite the opportunities they had created.

The trophy also secured qualification for the 2027-28 Europa League after Derry finished fifth in the Premier Division. Interim manager Mark Connolly took charge following Tiernan Lynch's departure in August. Captain Duffy, now a five-time FAI Cup winner with three victories for Derry and two for Dundalk, told BBC Sport NI that lifting silverware as Derry captain made this his most memorable footballing moment.