Thousands of people filled Guildhall Square on Monday evening for a homecoming event honouring Derry City Football Club after their 1-0 win over Waterford FC in the FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday.

The celebration was hosted by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Grace Ui Niallais. Earlier in the afternoon, the Mayor held a private reception in the Guildhall for the first team squad, club staff and management.

The evening included live music from Stevie and the Gs. Captain Mark Connolly and Michael Duffy brought the FAI Cup on stage, accompanied by pyrotechnics. Players and staff later joined the band on stage to perform Teenage Kicks.

Mayor Ui Niallais said the turnout was a testament to the connection between the club and the city. She congratulated Connolly, the players, management, staff and everyone connected with the club on bringing the trophy back to Derry. She described the reception as a privilege to host and said the victory had brought significant joy to the city.

Separately, Sinn Fein MLA for Foyle Ciara Ferguson congratulated Derry City on the victory and criticised RTE after supporters in Northern Ireland were unable to watch the final due to geo-blocking. Ferguson said the FAI Cup is an all-Ireland competition and supporters should be able to watch it regardless of where they live on the island.

She said over 35,000 people attended the final and described the atmosphere in the stadium as incredible. Ferguson called on the Irish Government to translate prior commitments into concrete action and urged RTE to address the issue so northern fans are not excluded from major sporting occasions.

"Today is a day of celebration for Derry City and their incredible supporters," Ferguson said. "They have done the city proud."