FAI CUP FINAL 2026 COUNTDOWN: Evan ready for a shot at cup gold against hometown club
Evan McLaughlin is hoping that Sunday will prove to be the day that he gets his hands on the FAI Cup.
For Evan McLaughlin, Sunday's FAI Cup Final is about more than simply chasing silverware.
The Waterford defender has already experienced the highs and lows that come with the competition. A native of Derry who came through the ranks at Derry City, he missed his hometown club's 2022 FAI Cup triumph while out on loan at Coleraine. Last year, he tasted final heartbreak with Cork City as they fell to Shamrock Rovers on the biggest domestic stage.
Now, after watching Waterford's semi-final victory over Bohemians from the sidelines through suspension, McLaughlin has another opportunity to end his wait for a winners' medal when the Blues take on Derry City at the Aviva Stadium.
It is a final with obvious personal significance, but the 24-year-old insists there will be no divided loyalties when kick-off arrives.
"It's a bit of a weird feeling to be honest, being from Derry and you're playing against Derry," he admitted.
"People you know, Derry fans, probably some of my family would be Derry fans as well, going to the games and stuff. But it's another game for me. I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to win it. It doesn't really matter who we're playing against.
"For me, I'd be delighted if we win it."
McLaughlin knows as well as anyone how difficult it can be to reach a cup final.
Having progressed through the academy at Derry City and signed a professional contract with the Candystripes, he looked destined to be part of the club's successful 2022 cup campaign. Instead, the defender was on loan at Coleraine when Derry defeated Shelbourne in the final.
His fortunes would take another turn when a health issue sidelined him for an extended period, forcing him to focus on rebuilding his career and getting valuable minutes on the pitch.
"It was probably a bit of a bad time," he reflected.
"I missed a full season through a health issue. I came back and I just needed to play. The best option for me was to go on loan and play games.
"They called me back, I think three months into my loan. I actually got the experience last year with Cork, but I didn't win, so hopefully I'm on the end of it this year."
That appearance for Cork City in the 2025 final defeat to Shamrock Rovers offered a valuable insight into what awaits Waterford this weekend.
"Obviously, it's a great occasion," he said. “Family, friends, everyone coming to watch you and being against Derry this year, I'll probably know 90 per cent of the people in the stadium.
"But as I said, I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to win it. It'll just be a good day for everyone."
While his teammates booked their place in the final with victory over Bohemians, McLaughlin was forced into the unfamiliar role of spectator after suspension ruled him out of the semi-final.
It was an experience he found far more difficult than taking to the pitch himself.
"You don't want to be missing the big games," he said.
"I think it's harsh, to be fair. Two yellow cards and you miss a semi-final. I think that's a bit harsh.
"But the boys got the job done, which I was buzzing for.
"It was hard watching it, knowing you're not there and stuff, but I was just glad they got the job done."
Watching from home proved every bit as nerve-racking as expected.
"It was a nervy watch, but I knew going in at half-time, 0-0, it was brilliant," he said.
"I know there was wind and the conditions weren't the best. The boys probably had to ride that storm for that last half an hour of the first half. Getting in at half-time, 0-0, was massive.
"Obviously they went for it in the second half. It was a brilliant couple of goals from Noah Mawene and Tommy Lonergan. They finished it off."
Waterford's journey to the final has mirrored their dramatic upturn in league fortunes since Graham Coughlan took charge.
The Blues looked destined for a difficult campaign earlier in the season, but a remarkable turnaround has secured Premier Division survival and carried them to the brink of major silverware.
McLaughlin believes the transformation began almost immediately after Coughlan's arrival.
"Of course it's a big turnaround," he said. "If we had told people we'd stay up and get to the cup final a few months ago, they'd probably have laughed.
"The first few months were miserable in there, to be honest. Graham's come in and it's a completely new team. Even the players, it's just a different feel every day.
"We'd be buzzing to come in every day. There's a real feel and a real togetherness in this group. It's a whole new team, to be honest."
While many supporters point to the impressive 2-0 away victory over St Patrick's Athletic as the turning point, McLaughlin feels the shift in mentality was apparent from Coughlan's first days at the club.
"There was just a really good feel with everyone," he said.
"Going against St Pat's and winning 2-0, they're meant to be going for the league this year. There's just a real feel with everyone and we know we can go anywhere and get a result."
McLaughlin's experience of playing at the Aviva Stadium last season should prove valuable when Waterford step onto the national stage on Sunday.
While some may focus on the vast dimensions of the pitch and the occasion itself, the defender believes Waterford's experienced squad will handle it comfortably.
"I experienced it last year, so I know what to expect in terms of the pitch and the fans," he said.
"I think we have experienced players in our team, so I don't think they'll get to us.
"It's just another game at the end of the day. It's just played somewhere that's a bigger stadium.
"There'll be more fans and stuff, but I'm sure all the boys will take it in their stride."
The Waterford support, meanwhile, has already shown its ability to create a big-game atmosphere.
"Definitely when you're playing, the atmosphere is very good," he said.
"They push you on that wee bit more at times. In the second half, near the end of the game, when we're pushing for a goal, or maybe we're trying to hold on to the lead, they just help you that wee bit more.
"It definitely feels like there's a lot more than what there is there. I know last week for the Drogheda United game, the seating was sold out, so it was brilliant.
"You can clearly see that they're jumping on this now."
And if Derry's threat needs outlining, McLaughlin knows exactly where much of it lies.
The defender highlighted Michael Duffy's influence, describing the winger as one of the standout performers in the League of Ireland over a sustained period.
"He's been, in my opinion, probably the best player in the league the past few years," he said. He's consistent. To be fair, he's been coming up with big moments for Derry since he's come back."
Yet with the sides splitting their four league meetings this season and little separating them throughout the campaign, McLaughlin believes Waterford have every reason to be confident.
"They have good players, but we have good players too," he said.
"I'm sure there's been goals every time we've played them. But cup finals are sometimes a bit different. They're cagey and they're not normally the same as league games. We'll just go into it like it's any other game and look after ourselves and what we have to do."
For McLaughlin, though, there is one final motivating factor. Unlike last year's final appearance, this time his young daughter will be there to witness it.
"It would mean everything, to be honest," he said.
"Last year I didn't have my wee girl there. She was still in my missus's belly at that stage, but she'll be there this year.
"It would be unbelievable. It would mean that bit more as well, probably winning against Derry. If I don't, I'm sure any time I go home I'll be getting pelters from everyone.
"It would be great, to be honest."
On Sunday, McLaughlin will walk out at the Aviva Stadium against the club he grew up supporting, in front of family, friends and familiar faces from home. He has already endured more than his share of FAI Cup frustration, but now, with his young daughter in the stands and a winners' medal within touching distance, he has one more chance to ensure the third time really is the charm.
