Dundalk had already been confirmed League of Ireland Champions for 1978–79, and they were chasing their first League and Cup Double. The two sides' two previous meetings that season had been in the League, with Waterford winning both matches. The second of these was in Oriel Park, the night Dundalk had received the league trophy. Dundalk had won the cup in 1977. To reach the final they defeated St Patrick's Athletic, Finn Harps, and Cork Alberts. Waterford had finished fourth in the League, three points behind Dundalk. They had not won the cup since their first victory in 1937 and had been defeated in their four previous appearances in the final, two of which had seen them miss out on League and Cup Doubles of their own, during a dominant period when they had won six league titles in eight seasons between 1964 and 1973. They overcame Bohemians, Galway Rovers, and Shamrock Rovers. The match was not broadcast live. Highlights were shown that evening on the RTÉ show Sports Scene.
Match
Summary
Dundalk went into the match as most pundits' tip to win, although Waterford were confident given the manner in which they had dispatched Shamrock Rovers in the semi-final and defeated Dundalk in the League. But Dundalk shocked their opponents by taking the lead after four minutes. There was controversy about the build up, as the linesman had flagged Hilary Carlyle as being offside, but was overruled by referee Daly. Carlyle crossed to Sean Byrne, who slipped as he lined up a left-foot, near post shot only to see the ball fly across the goal and into the net at the far post. Thereafter Dundalk attempted to play on the break and fashioned the better chances despite Waterford having more possession. Richie Blackmore was still required to make a number of good saves, including one from a Sid Wallace shot that seemed destined for the net. As the clock reached the 90 minute mark, Carlyle picked up a pass out of defence from Tommy McConville, shrugged off Waterford's player-manager, Tommy Jackson, and fired home to seal the victory, and the club's first Double. In the aftermath Jackson refused to complain about the referee, noting instead that his side had not responded well to going behind. Dundalk manager Jim McLaughlin said that Richie Blackmore's save from Sid Wallace convinced him that Dundalk were going to win.
