Rivalries

[Lionel Ritchie]

back in the late 70's , early eighties when I'm proud to say Limerick ruled the roost in the LOI, rivalries with Waterford were particularly bad, with several episodes of violence, assaults and threatening behaviour........there was a few incidents between the fans as well.....

Indeed. though I also recall being rushed towards an exit of the markets field when i was about 8 (1981) as Droghedas pondlife rained bottles and masonry down at us. Some of the Waterford rivalry could be funny ( we never could come up with a good retaliation to "Who's shirts have you on?") as we were usually in equally poor shape for much of the '90's.

[drummerboy]

Hmm, interesting...

Then another question, I always hear the names of teams who were big in the past (I reckon), like St. James' Gate, Home Farm, Quay Celtic and some more, where are they now? What happened to them? Can they promote to the 2nd level? Do they still have much supporters?

I'd imagine that if Drumcondra make it into the 3rd round of the FAI Cup they could muster up a bit of support. They play in Morton Stadium. However they would not have the financial clout to compete in the EL. Home Farm still have a team in the LSL. James Gate could possible make a return.

[Rocky]

Sligo against Galway or Finn Harps are always heated, sometimes vicious.

Galway and Athlone is big as well.

[Stevo Da Gull]

I would say Bray-Bohs only its not much of a rivalry if they allways hammer us.
Bray-Sligo, allways a war on the pitch and in the dug-outs.

[adamcarr]

There is great rivalry between Waterford and Cork City. It is always a great game of football aswell even though we never win!

[onceahoop]

Hasn't been a proper one since St. Francis vs. Home Farm disappeared. Dublin City vs. Kildare County is as close as anything nowadays.

Seriously though, Bohemian FC versus Shamrock Rovers is generally considered the biggest rivarly, although Rovers fans will tell you that Rovers vs. Drumcondra or Rovers vs. Shelbourne (or Rovers vs. Waterford!) used to be bigger (probably 70% accurate, 20% revisionism and 10% bravado.)

There are plenty of rivalries throughout the league (Derry City vs. Finn Harps etc etc etc) and plenty of posters who'll demur from the above, but in the sense of a proper derby game as understood across Europe, Bohs vs. Rovers is where it's at.

I think this had something to do with the fact that Rovers were professional (semi) and Bohs were all Amatures. It was a case of them and us. It was also Northside versus Southside although Rovers drew support from all over Dublin

[BobtheDrog]

whilst drogs dundalk is the known one there is increasingly a big rivalry between us and longford

[Longfordian]

Maybe on your part, we're not too bothered either way..