FAI CUP FINAL 2026 COUNTDOWN: 'We had the belief then; they need to believe now' - Ger O'Mahoney

The framed photo hangs proudly on the wall, a reminder of the day Waterford brought the cup back over the bridge for only the second time in the club’s existence.

Underneath sit two medals: one recalling the disappointment of coming up short, the other a winners’ medal, marking membership of an elite group.

Signatures surround the faces of those who shared that day. Some, alas, no longer with us.

For Ger O Mahoney, success came early. He joined Waterford in 1977 and, while league form disappointed, the cup offered hope.

“We were beaten in the semi-final in 78,” he recalls. “Rovers beat us. I think the abiding memory of all of those years is we really seemed to play for the cup games.” A year later, league champions Dundalk awaited in the final. O Mahoney believes a 3-0 win at Oriel Park about ten days beforehand encouraged a dangerous misconception. “It’s probably the stupidest thing we ever did, to go up to Oriel [Park], clap them onto the pitch, beat them 3-0,” he says. “When you beat them 3-0 up there, you think you’re a better team.” A controversial early goal put Dundalk ahead. Waterford pressed, but goalkeeper Richie Blackmore was outstanding. Hilary Carlyle’s second-half goal sealed a 2-0 defeat that scarcely reflected the contest.

“I think we must have had seven or eight good chances,” Ger recalls. “That was gut-wrenching that year.” The hurt became the spur for the following season. An unprecedented number of draws extinguished league ambitions, turning attention once more to the cup.

“We had belief, we’d been beaten semi-finalists, beaten finalists, and I think we cruised through the early games. We scored early goals in a lot of those games.” Ger scored in a 5-1 win over Thurles Town. A 3-0 victory over Cork United followed, Waterford’s first cup elimination of a Cork side in 18 years. Brian Gardner then headed the only goal against a strong Athlone side, reward for manager Tommy Jackson’s work on set pieces.

“One thing we worked on with Jacko particularly was the free kicks,” says Ger. “All the defenders had scored at some stage.” Limerick United took a semi-final replay to overcome. Then came the final, and the weight of a town’s expectations.

“It was a huge thing for Waterford, they hadn’t won the cup in forty-something years,” he says. “Everybody was wishing you well, but you knew the pressure was on.” RTÉ’s Sports Stadium came down. Interest stretched across town and county, and the journey to Dublin brought home the scale of the support. Buses lined the route, flags hanging from their windows. The words “Stonewall Jackson” remain in Ger’s memory.

“Every time we passed one of those buses, we got a big lift,” he recalls. “That was a huge support going for the town.” Waterford arrived as favourites, but Dalymount offered little comfort.

“We knew Dalymount well but the pitch was horrible. If you let the ball bounce, it would go anywhere.” Jackie Jameson was the danger, though Ger rates Tony Dunphy and Al Finucane among the country’s best centre-backs. Still, nerves made it cagey.

“I think we knew if we got a goal, it would probably be nerve-wracking, but we’d hold on to it. And that’s what happened.” Tommo played well; Jameson threatened with half-chances. There were hairy moments before relief arrived at the final whistle. What followed holds a special place in Ger’s memory.

“When we got down on the pitch, the locals, myself, Tony Dunphy, Mick Madigan, we ran off with the cup. We just ran for the locals!” Can Waterford bridge that 46-year gap? Ger sees reason for hope.

“Other than Rovers, they’re the best team, I think. On form, all they have to do is continue to play.” He sees a level-headed manager and, after the early-season uncertainty, a team with a pattern and shape.

“I have watched them and watched the progress. They have some lovely players there, I’d have to say; above them all, Podge Amond is phenomenal, and Tommy Lonergan - there’s lots to love - but I think Amond is the best target man in the league by a mile.

And his message to the players is simple:

“Just play with the same enthusiasm, go into it with the same motivation.”