The match was the 83rd FAI Cup Final, and the last to be held at the old Lansdowne Road before it shut for redevelopment.
Their manager Stephen Kenny was returning from his exodus to Dunfermline Athletic.
[4] St Patrick's Athletic had central defender Darragh Maguire suspended and two players cup-tied, midfielder Keith Fahey and striker Mark Rooney.
Michael Foley returned to partner Dave Mulcahy in the middle with veteran Mark Rutherford, in what was his eighth final, on the left.
The team had not won the cup since 1961, losing the last five finals in which they have played, and had not beaten Derry since April 2003, 14 matches previously.