Thousands of people gathered in Guildhall Square, Derry, on Monday evening for a homecoming event honouring Derry City's FAI Cup final victory. The club defeated Waterford 1-0 at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin on Sunday to claim its seventh FAI Cup title.

Darragh Burns scored the only goal in the 69th minute with a long-range strike, his first for the club. The match was played in front of almost 37,000 spectators. Mark Connolly, who took over as interim manager in May, led the team to a fifth-place finish in the Premier Division, securing European football for next season.

Mayor Grace Uí Niallais hosted a private reception at the Guildhall on Monday afternoon for the first-team squad, club staff and management. The team then joined her on stage in Guildhall Square, where she told the crowd that the city was proud of the team's performance and that the fans helped bring the cup home. Players and club chairman Phillip O'Doherty also addressed the crowd, and each squad and backroom member was introduced individually.

Fans braved the cold, many wearing the club's red and white colours. Music and fireworks were part of the event. Several young supporters shared their reactions. Ten-year-old Oliver said he wanted to see his favourite players, including Michael Duffy, Kevin Dos Santos and Paddy McClean, and hoped to collect signatures on his shirt. Brothers Casey and Joe, along with friend Ollie, watched the final on television and were eager to see the players and the trophy. Seven-year-old Freddie attended with his step-father Joseph Donnelly and mother Emma Murphy; Donnelly said Derry were the better side in a cagey game and praised Connolly for turning the season around. Twelve-year-old friends Hannah and Orla said the event was a way to thank the team, with Hannah adding that she attended the final in Dublin.

Separately, Derry City fan Stephen welcomed a daughter, Nylah, born at 2:15pm on Sunday, shortly before the match. Stephen had planned to travel to Dublin but stayed in the labour ward and followed the game on his phone. He said both mother and baby are doing well and that Nylah will be raised a Derry City fan.