Derbies in the League of Ireland

The Brandywell has often held The Northwest Derby, played between Derry City and Finn Harps

There are many Derbies in the League of Ireland, and despite the fact more teams compete in the First Division, the majority are played in the Premier Division, the top flight of Irish football.

Background

Most derbies in the league occur due to geographical location, like most leagues in the world. It should also be noted that like Spain's Superclasico and the Liverpool/Manchester rivalry, derbies also take place between two cities in differing parts of the country, most of which involve one of the 3 big Dublin based teams and either Cork or Derry.

Main Derbies

Dublin derbies

With five Dublin based clubs currently competing in the league and a number of defunct clubs over the years the city of Dublin hosts a large amount of derbies each season.

Bohemians vs Shamrock Rovers

The biggest rivalry in the league. Following the demise of Drumcondra in the 1960s, Bohemians became the only major club from the Northside of Dublin, automatically coming into conflict with southsiders, Shamrock Rovers. Over the decades, the rivalry has been extremely fierce both on and off the field,^[1] with disturbances breaking out before, during and after fixtures, resulting in an excessive Garda presence at games. The attendances at the game had been declining for thirty years, but attendances unexpectedly rose in 2009, largely due to Rovers moving in to Tallaght Stadium and Bohs' status as league champions, with the attendance at one game tripling on the previous encounter.^[2]

Bohemians vs Shelbourne

The oldest derby in the league, the two are the only still functioning clubs from the original 1922 League of Ireland season and completely dominated early pre-league football. Today they are they second and third most successful league side and while the rivalry receded over the years at the start of the 2000's reached its most heated as the two became the best clubs in the country winning between each other six consecutive titles. The rivalry is significant as their home grounds in North Dublin are the closest to each other of any clubs in the league. Shelbourne based at Tolka Park in Drumcondra and Bohemians at Dalymount Park in Phibsboro and while the game is sometimes erroneously called North Dublin derby Shelbourne are not a North Dublin club, they originally formed in Ringsend in South Dublin which adds to the feud as they are seen as moving to Bohs territory.

Shelbourne vs St. Patrick's Athletic

Some times referred to as The Red Dublin derby due to the similar shirts they wear. During the 2001-02 season St. Pat's were deducted 9 points for fielding an ineligible player, these were reinstated before a further 15 points were deducted pushing St. Pat's from 1st place to 3rd and allowing Shels to win the title with 10 more points.

Minor Dublin rivalries

Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick's Athletic share a small rivalry based on both clubs being from the South side of the Liffey. While Rovers vs Shelbourne owes to both clubs originating from Ringsend.

Northwest Derby: Derry City vs Finn Harps

Main article: North-west Derby (Ireland)

Very little distance separates these two clubs and Northern bragging rights are laid on the line for these games. Traditionally, they have provided some entertaining and often talked about games down the years. The last game of any note between the two teams was a Promotion/Relegation play-off match in 2003 in which Derry were the victors in front of a crowd of over 6,000. With Harps promotion for the 2008 season, it returned with great anticipation and the three meetings were all sold out. Unlucky for Harps, though, Derry came out on top on all three occasions. The derby returned in 2010 following Derry's relegation from the Premier Division the previous year, but the Foylesiders still held the advantage over the Donegal men in the ties.

Louth Derby

The Louth derby is contested by Drogheda United and Dundalk. The derby had not been played in many years due to the clubs being in different divisions, however with Dundalk's promotion to the Premier Division for the 2009 season, the derby has recommenced. It has lived up to its status so far with four red cards in the four meetings this year. Dundalk have had the upper hand, winning both of their home games while drawing away at United Park.

Connacht Derby

The Connacht derby is played between Galway United and Sligo Rovers. Traditionally it has been a First Division derby but in recent years the success of both clubs means it is now a regular Premier Division encounter. Both teams regularly beat each other, resulting in an almost exact record for both, however in the Premier Division Sligo have come out on top most times. The derby is possibly one of the friendliest in the world, with both clubs maintaining good relations with each other and violence at matches non-existent.

Other derbies

There are many other derbies in the league, the main ones being:

• The Munster Derby* - Cork City v Waterford United (This rivalry is not reciprocated by Cork City fans)
• The Cork Derby - Cork City FC v Cobh Ramblers
• The Red Dublin Derby - St. Patrick's Athleticv Shelbourne
• The Midlands Derby* - Longford Town v Athlone Town
• The Southwest Derby - Limerick FC v Cobh Ramblers
• The Galway Derby - Galway United v Mervue United
• Galway City Derby* - Mervue United v Salthill Devon
• The Northeast Derby- Monaghan United v Dundalk FC
• The Southeast Derby* - Wexford Youths v Waterford United
• The Longest Derby -Derry City FC v Cork City FC (The longest distance between two teams in the league)

Note: These derbies are currently played in the First Division, while the other derbies have not been played for at least a year because of the clubs being in different leagues.

References

1. ^ "Rivals set for new chapter in old capital affair". The Irish Times. 2009-03-18. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2009/0318/1224243007339.html. Retrieved 2009-03-25. 
2. ^ "Rovers receive major attendance boost". RTÉ. 2009-10-02. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/1002/shamrockrovers_bohemians.html. Retrieved 2009-11-04.