Whats the biggest derby in Irish football

[Poor Student]

A derby is two teams in the same city - at a push you could say county. If you can have a provincial Derby think of all the Leinster ones! :rolleyes:

Derbies aren't exactly defined, you're just fabricating those rules. Isn't El Classico a derby between two teams of two different cities of two different provinces? I thought Milan v Juve was called the "Derby of Italy" or something.

Superfrank, there's no rivalry between Bray and UCD. We don't look forward to the games and they don't excite me any more than any other regular fixture.

[Raheny Red]

No mention of Shels v Sp. Fingal? :D

Nah, for us it's Kildare County, the flare and passion at that fixture is mesmirising :D.

[BohsPartisan]

Derbies aren't exactly defined, you're just fabricating those rules. Isn't El Classico a derby between two teams of two different cities of two different provinces? I thought Milan v Juve was called the "Derby of Italy" or something.

Superfrank, there's no rivalry between Bray and UCD. We don't look forward to the games and they don't excite me any more than any other regular fixture.

El Classico is El Classico. Its not a Derby. Derby is by its definition - local.

[Cosmo]

Bit of a rivalry for a Portadown v Glenavon encounter.

Yeah thats supposed to be a decent one too! They're playing each other in 2 weeks, looking forward to it :)

[skitz3]

Linfield Vs Glentoran
Rovers Vs Bohs

No other come close to those two. Although around the time of the Marney affair, Shels Vs Pats did.

[superfrank]

Isn't El Classico a derby between two teams of two different cities of two different provinces? I thought Milan v Juve was called the "Derby of Italy" or something.
Inter Juve is the "Derby of Italy". Marseille PSG has a similar title in France.

[eamoss]

Personally I love Drogheda/ Dundalk derby.

Ditto

[superfrank]

No other come close to those two. Although around the time of the Marney affair, Shels Vs Pats did.
According to the ever-reliable wikipedia :rolleyes:, the Pats Shels match is known as the Registration Derby, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eircom_League_of_Ireland#Derbies.

[osarusan]

Its still a derby as many of the fans work together, live together and socialise together.

I think this is the key point of what constitutes a derby. When the two teams and their supporters are in close enough proximity that they inhabit roughly the same location, and the victor can claim bragging rights over the loser. This would usually, but not always, mean the same city.

And I'd go for Rovers vs Bohs in the eL.

[Bucky-O'Hare]

rovers v bohs definetly.... doesnt pull the biggest crowds but everybody know rovers and bohs is the biggest...

If it doesn't pull the biggest crowds then it can't be considered the biggest. To be honest I don't think there are any decent derbies in our league. If Rovers/Boh's is considered the biggest then that says it all really!

Derry-Harps, obviously pulls in the biggest crowds but unfortunately it's soccers version of Galway/Mayo in the Gaelic. There's a serious lack of intense hatred between the fans! I'm not talking about thuggish behaviour, I just mean intensity! When I'm at a Derry/Tyrone Ulster Championship match you can feel that they genuinely hate us and we hate them, you don't get that at a Derry-Harps game but maybe that's what make our derby special!

[Terry]

Corks derby match is against cobh, not waterford surely?

it has to be bohs -v- rovers.

[Con-Con]

Rovers v Bohs.

[The Man Himself]

Cork fans never really thought of the blues as rivals no matter how obssessed their fans are with us and how much fat pat said it was the biggest derby in ireland. We need ramblers to stay up as to build up a rivalry with them

won waterford won far more leagues then cork did.
munsters most successful side by far.

[Raheny Red]

Although around the time of the Marney affair, Shels Vs Pats did.

The build up to those games was unbelievable.

[Pablo Escobar]

Surely it's Finn Harps -v- Derry. You've got one side representing Ireland, and the other representing the UK. :D

[pól-dcfc]

Surely it's Finn Harps -v- Derry. You've got one side representing Ireland, and the other representing the UK. :D

:rolleyes:

Linfield - Glentoran by far and away is the biggest Derby in Ireland.
There can't be any argument.

[kingdomkerry]

Surely it's Finn Harps -v- Derry. You've got one side representing Ireland, and the other representing the UK. :D

Theres always a fool!

[Pablo Escobar]

:rolleyes:

Linfield - Glentoran by far and away is the biggest Derby in Ireland.
There can't be any argument.

Biggest derby by a mile. You only need to look at the increase of attendance for those games. It's actually crazy that they can have 1,500 for a game one week, then 13,000 the next!

I'm not even going to comment on KK response as my comment was clearly a joke. :rolleyes:

[bray boy]

i read this forum and laughed
how naive people can be
forget linfield glens bohs rovers even celtic rangers...
nothing matches the size, glamour,intensity and rip roaring hate between two sides that you undoubtably know im talking about
records of bray ucd matches are unclear as journalists and cameras are asked not to attend as both sets of clubs need the space for the anormous volume fans that they take care of so well
two seasons ago a cold carlisle witnessed a an event that shook the very bones of the worldwide footballing community
overcrowding of the famous shed (as seen in michael collins) cracked the foundations of the tin shack
undercover repoters tell us that one dog sprained his ankle in what was an event that really changed the face of 'the field of dreams' forever
the old shed was replaced with what can only be described as a green tent which is held up by state of the art lego blocks
and dont even get me started on the violence that meant belfield had to be left for the new bowl.....

[Steve Bruce]

Young gentleman are you? Before the current poisonous atmosphere took hold about ten years ago, crowds of 6-8,000 would not have been unusual. The pity now is that neutrals keep away because of the bad publicity and because of the scummish behaviours of some rovers fans and retards who have attached themselves to Bohs. I would reckon that there will be at least 5.000 in Tolka next Friday and if that fixture doesn`t generate bad publicity and both clubs are still competing at the top of the league, we should be getting the biggest crowd of the season at the next match between the sides at Dalymount .

Linfield v Glens or possibly Linfield v Cliftonville is about as close as it comes to Bohs/Rovers on the Island.( outside of the "boxing" day traditional match the crowds at Blues/ Glens are modest enough afaik.)

I remember the Hibs/Celtic games and I would say that was the main derby game in the early `70`s.

Linfield vs Glentoran league matches regulary pull 10,000+ attendances, Boxing Day we would get 12,000+ guarenteed. Although recent years these matches have been restricted.

On this island though. Linfield vs Glentoran is the biggest in crowd, biggest in rivalry and historically by a long stretch.

This isn't a slanted view because I am a Blueman, it is just the way it is. Biggest crowds, most hostillity and two very successful clubs.

This is not to take away from anyone elses fixtures though. But I think most people would agree(even if they dont like to admit it)

[HarpoJoyce]

i read this forum and laughed
how naive people can be
forget linfield glens bohs rovers even celtic rangers...
nothing matches the size, glamour,intensity and rip roaring hate between two sides that you undoubtably know im talking about
records of bray ucd matches are unclear as journalists and cameras are asked not to attend as both sets of clubs need the space for the anormous volume fans that they take care of so well
two seasons ago a cold carlisle witnessed a an event that shook the very bones of the worldwide footballing community
overcrowding of the famous shed (as seen in michael collins) cracked the foundations of the tin shack
undercover repoters tell us that one dog sprained his ankle in what was an event that really changed the face of 'the field of dreams' forever
the old shed was replaced with what can only be described as a green tent which is held up by state of the art lego blocks
and dont even get me started on the violence that meant belfield had to be left for the new bowl.....

Yet again you are right. Always the truth comes from the sea.
But BW and UCD bring a climate of change to the LoI, it scared the pants off some.

Mind the time while Belfield Park was used for football, the regime in Tolka (Shels/Home Farm FC) wished to discard their ordinary blue plastic bench seats. UCD AFC and Belfield Park were able to hide them for a time in the back of our main stand. Sometimes to replace older wooden seats.
But we equated our efforts, to hiding footballers during the Holocaust.

Without proper diets, both Belfield Park and the Carlilse Grounds may seem cold. It is true, Neil Jordan thinks the Carlilse Grounds looks like Croke Park.

[TonyD]

Linfield Vs Glentoran
Rovers Vs Bohs

No other come close to those two. Although around the time of the Marney affair, Shels Vs Pats did.

For a period there in the late nineties I would say that Shels/Pats actually eclipsed Rovers/Bohs as the main Dublin grudge match, even before the Marney affair. There were some fabulous spats(on the pitch that is) between the two. I'm thinking particularly of the three game FAI cup quarter final in 1998 which had an absolutely electric athmosphere. Just about filled Tolka Park for the two replays. Incredible games. Of course, since Shels departure into oblivion :p, that's all history. In terms of crowds at the moment, I would say Harps/Derry would get a bigger attendance than Rovers/Bohs.

[Paddyfield]

Bohs V Rovers

[deecay]

If Dundalk got promoted them v Drogs would be up there

[Orangecelt]

when the league was at its height cork hibs v. cork celtic was the biggest derby.

I really miss those Hibs Celtic games in Flower Lodge (now Pairc Ui Rinn.. shame on you, AOH!) and Turner's Cross. I grew up about 200 yards from The Box (about 100 yards from Musgrave Park) and I always get to see Cork City when I'm home. I even wear the new City top and support them enthusiastically to the extent that I insist visitors attend a game with me. Unfortunately, the city can no longer afford 2 league clubs. It probably never could anyway. Does Celtic v Hibs '74 hold the record for largest attendance for a league game? Or was it Hibs Waterford?

[Dodge]

Bohs vs Rovers, anyone who says different is a moron at best

This comes up every year, and the same people try and day otherwise

[Raheny Red]

Of course, since Shels departure into oblivion :p, that's all history.

It went downhill when you lot went to **** in fact. Anyway, still a good while since you last got a victory over us ;)

[Dodge]

Enjoying the first division Raheny?

[Raheny Red]

Enjoying the first division Raheny?

No. :)

[Dodge]

Victory is ours...

[CvilleRovers]

rovers bohs nothing else comes close

[ndrog]

Drogs v Duns is a huge game for all concerned .And if they get out of the graveyard next season its gonna attract massive crowds .Hopefully they dont though :D

[Greenforever]

As previously posted it depends on how you judge it, personally I would say Cork / Cobh and Derry / Harps would be far bigger in terms of what % of the local population will go to the game, or take some kind of interest, know the result etc.

While some will say it's Rovers / Bohs what %of Dubliners will even know it's on on the day of the match, I'd guess a much smaller % than say that of Corkonians for their derby etc.

Also for the benefit of all clubs in the league it would make a lot of sense to make sure all the above games were televised if they are likely to attract full houses as that alone looks better on the telly.

[ciaraa]

As previously posted it depends on how you judge it, personally I would say Cork / Cobh and Derry / Harps would be far bigger in terms of what % of the local population will go to the game, or take some kind of interest, know the result etc.

While some will say it's Rovers / Bohs what %of Dubliners will even know it's on on the day of the match, I'd guess a much smaller % than say that of Corkonians for their derby etc.

Also for the benefit of all clubs in the league it would make a lot of sense to make sure all the above games were televised if they are likely to attract full houses as that alone looks better on the telly.


also bohs rovers has too much scum element tagging along. cork-cobh, harps-derry and drogs-gundalk are much better derbies because you dont have that element (well maybe a small bit but nowhere near that dublin derby) and like greenforever says, the locals turn out in force more.
plus the last couple of bohs rovers games that i've seen have been boring drab auld matches.
overhyped match if you ask me.

[bellavistaman]

last night was class, 4,500 there atmosphere was electric, passion everything bar the result and football, next 2 should be better.

[bigmac]

This comes up every year

True - this was up not that long ago in a question about which team you most like /want to beat.
IIRC most Blues fans said that Cork was never on our radar until the last few years and has been mainly built up by the hurling rivalry. Over the previous ten or fifteen years the "derby" match for Waterford was agianst Kilkenny. If you want to go back further than that, then any of the varous Cork incarnations have been our closest rivals geographically, but they went in and out of existence so much that there wasn't time to build up any decent sort of tradition.
Despite it not being anything close to a derby, the rivalry built up with Rovers in the late 60s / early 70s is still present, although watered down a bit by nostalgia.

Now there is no real derby for the Blues - as someone said, only if the majority of both sets of fans coexist can it be called a derby. Liverpool ManU is most definitely not a derby - grudge match/big rivalry yes, but Liverpool's derby game is Everton and ManU's is Man City.

[The Man Himself]

True - this was up not that long ago in a question about which team you most like /want to beat.
IIRC most Blues fans said that Cork was never on our radar until the last few years and has been mainly built up by the hurling rivalry. Over the previous ten or fifteen years the "derby" match for Waterford was agianst Kilkenny. If you want to go back further than that, then any of the varous Cork incarnations have been our closest rivals geographically, but they went in and out of existence so much that there wasn't time to build up any decent sort of tradition.
Despite it not being anything close to a derby, the rivalry built up with Rovers in the late 60s / early 70s is still present, although watered down a bit by nostalgia.

Now there is no real derby for the Blues - as someone said, only if the majority of both sets of fans coexist can it be called a derby. Liverpool ManU is most definitely not a derby - grudge match/big rivalry yes, but Liverpool's derby game is Everton and ManU's is Man City.


eff off,
you havent a clue what your talking about.
but theres one thing your right about' liverpool v man utd is not a derby, its now called a walk over. :D

[Lim till i die]

Pike v Balla

Absolutely no contest.

South v North
Green v Blue

Attendances in the thousands

No debate, nothing else comes close

[dcfcsteve]

Rovers v Bohs is the angriest derby. The nastiest. And the one with the most potential for violence. But it is certainly not the biggest.

The biggest is surely all about the crowd, as unless each team has more than 11 players each on the pitch, there is no other variable to its size involved.

And on that basis it is City v Harps. No other derby consistently pulls in the crowds that games in the North West do.

End of story (even if this topic is brought up about every 6 months on here...)

[Lim till i die]

Rovers v Bohs is the angriest derby. The nastiest. And the one with the most potential for violence.

Another man who hasn't seen Pike v Balla :D

[BohDiddley]

Rovers v Bohs is the angriest derby. The nastiest. And the one with the most potential for violence. But it is certainly not the biggest.
Rather interesting how many people here are scrambling to deny or dilute or just defame the Bohs v Rovers derby.
With some of these posters, we don't need a tabloid press to do down League of Ireland.

[Bluebeard]

True - this was up not that long ago in a question about which team you most like /want to beat.
IIRC most Blues fans said that Cork was never on our radar until the last few years and has been mainly built up by the hurling rivalry. Over the previous ten or fifteen years the "derby" match for Waterford was agianst Kilkenny. If you want to go back further than that, then any of the varous Cork incarnations have been our closest rivals geographically, but they went in and out of existence so much that there wasn't time to build up any decent sort of tradition.
Despite it not being anything close to a derby, the rivalry built up with Rovers in the late 60s / early 70s is still present, although watered down a bit by nostalgia.

Now there is no real derby for the Blues - as someone said, only if the majority of both sets of fans coexist can it be called a derby. Liverpool ManU is most definitely not a derby - grudge match/big rivalry yes, but Liverpool's derby game is Everton and ManU's is Man City.

On the mark. I'd never see the Cork game as anything more than a recent rivallry to be honest. I'm all for hyping the games to get a crowd in, but the reality is that there is no real history between these clubs and it isn't a derby in any real sense - at best simply a rivallry, where the less successful team, whoever it may be at the time, sees there being some "unfinished business" every time they meet until the tables are firmly turned. This might become the case with Wexford and ourselves too I suspect.

On a related note, surely the Sligo Derby/Rivallry would be with Finn Harps, not Galway, as that is where there was a traditional enmity?

[placid casual]

the rovers vs bohs mickey is bigger than everyone elses mickey !!

[dcfcsteve]

Rather interesting how many people here are scrambling to deny or dilute or just defame the Bohs v Rovers derby.
With some of these posters, we don't need a tabloid press to do down League of Ireland.

Tabloid me arse.

Name me one other EL derby with a greater history or propensity for violence ?

[dcfcsteve]

Another man who hasn't seen Pike v Balla :D

Very good. Now Pike off ya Balla(x)....

[BohDiddley]

Tabloid me arse.

Name me one other EL derby with a greater history or propensity for violence ?
You want help constructing little league tables of violence for excitable pinheads to froth over?
I don't go to derbies to observe violence, and, although I am a relatively recent eL convert, if I did go for that purpose I'm afraid I would have failed.
Sorry to disappoint.

[Réiteoir]

the rovers vs bohs mickey is bigger than everyone elses mickey !!

if there's one thing us supporters of the "Big Club"™ and the "Most Famous Club in the League"™ agree on - it's that of the biggest derby in the League.

If we are to start disallowing derbies due to the "violence" that surrounds them then we'd better discount the Old Firm shindig (remember seeing a police charge sheet after one such game a few years ago - which listed amongst the offences committed by one set of fans a "cleaver attack"), CSKA - Spartak in Moscow, and 98% of all derby matches in Argentina and Brazil.

Bohs - Rovers is the biggest rivalry and derby in the South - no question

[osarusan]

The biggest is surely all about the crowd, as unless each team has more than 11 players each on the pitch, there is no other variable to its size involved.

And on that basis it is City v Harps. No other derby consistently pulls in the crowds that games in the North West do.


But you have to factor in the fact that Harps and Derry have played far less frequently than Bohs and Rovers, and so there is more of an element of novelty involved.

Would Harps and Derry derbies maintain current attendance figures if they played every year?

[Réiteoir]

Plus the biggest derby has to be competitive.

iirc on the graphic on MNS a couple of weeks ago - Harps have only won something like 2 out of 53 meetings.

Hardly awe-inspring is it?

[bohs til i die]

Bohs V Shamrock is only a hatred thing. If you're talking about attendance then Derry V Harps was big this year. Bohs V Shamrock could never get a crowd that size.


Have a look at youtube for some of the cup games from the 93-94 season. 2nd replay had about 10000 at it
Cup semi final in 2001 had 8000

Other games since then have had big attendances, but the regularity of them puts people off especially with the unfriendly welcome most fans get when they arrive at the ground to be searched.