Derbies in the League of Ireland
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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.
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[edit] Background
Most derbies in the league occur due to geographical location, like most leagues in the world.
[edit] Main Derbies
[edit] Bohemians vs Shamrock Rovers
The biggest derby 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 unfortunately off the field,[1] with large scale 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]
[edit] Northwest Derby
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, however, due to the fact that Finn Harps are a First Division team and Derry are a Premier Division team, the rivalry has been put on hold for the time being. 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 well 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 was Derry came out on top on all three occasions.
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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.
[edit] Other derbies
There are many other derbies in the league, the main ones being:
- The Munster Derby - Cork City FC v. Waterford United
- The Cork Derby - Cork City v Cobh Ramblers
- The Red Dublin Derby - St. Patrick's Athletic v. Shelbourne FC
- The Midlands Derby* - Longford Town FC v. Athlone Town FC
- This derby is 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.
[edit] References
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Rovers receive major attendance boost". RTE. 2009-10-02. http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/1002/shamrockrovers_bohemians.html. Retrieved 2009-11-04.
