Junior Derby Games in Ireland/Northern Ireland

[Raheen]

Jaysus I didn't know they were that far apart. Maybe Kiltullagh and Loughrea too???

Are Gurteen FC still going? - that too would really be a local derby with Colesmantown. Throw in CB Trotters too - they're near those clubs as well.

Last time I was in Colemanstwn was about 1997 or 98 and even then they had training lights, dressingrooms and portable dugouts. Gerry Broderick was the main man then (still?) - I used to meet him at lot when we were involved in the East Galway Primary Schools Soccer League. he used to put loads of teams into that league - sadly gone now. There was a pub just up the road from the pitch which sponsored them and still does I believe - think it was called Burkes????

Colemanstown are a good example of a progressive rural club, on and off the field. They did well nationally at underage level last season too. Burkes is the the local pub alright so the memory is still ok. You've also got Gurteen and CB Trotters out that way too although they're at a lower grade. Three thriving East Galway clubs, any further and you're in Roscommon District League territory. Is it fair to say that a good number of clubs in the RDL are from Galway?

Kiltullagh is nearer Athenry, 5 miles, than it is Loughrea so it has the potential for a local derby. Most of the Kiltullagh lads went to school in Athenry so they know each other well and have clashed in the past. Only problem is that Kiltullagh play in Division 2a so they'll not be getting a derby game against the Athenry side for a while . Athenry B play at the same level so I suppose that's not a bad substitute.....

[hamish]

Colemanstown are a good example of a progressive rural club, on and off the field. They did well nationally at underage level last season too. Burkes is the the local pub alright so the memory is still ok. You've also got Gurteen and CB Trotters out that way too although they're at a lower grade. Three thriving East Galway clubs, any further and you're in Roscommon District League territory. Is it fair to say that a good number of clubs in the RDL are from Galway?

Kiltullagh is nearer Athenry, 5 miles, than it is Loughrea so it has the potential for a local derby. Most of the Kiltullagh lads went to school in Athenry so they know each other well and have clashed in the past. Only problem is that Kiltullagh play in Division 2a so they'll not be getting a derby game against the Athenry side for a while . Athenry B play at the same level so I suppose that's not a bad substitute.....

Yeah, lotta Galway clubs in Ros allright. Fair few Athlone ones too.

A friend of mine Tommy Caulfield - played for loads of my teams also played for Kiltullagh - he's retired now. He lives out there with the missus but works in Portiuncula.I think he was in the team that had that FAI Cup run a few years back.

What about Ballinakill and Loughrea?? Ballinakill seem to jump between the Galway and Ros leagues a fair bit.

When Beeslow used to play Tuam a good few years ago it was always a rough affair. Fierce rivalry then. Battle of the Shoms and the Shams so to speak. Think it still goes on in Gah.

[Conor H]

Ya i had to go out to play a match in Ballinakill there a couple of months ago.I had never heard of the place at al....just that they were near Loughrea.Took us an hour to get there and Galway Bay Fm didn't work out there!!
They had just came from the Rosscommon league and it was the first game of the season.......We got hammered 5-1

As for the biggest City Derby i suppose ...
Hibs v Mervue
Salthill v Mervue-probably the biggest Derby.

[hamish]

Ya i had to go out to play a match in Ballinakill there a couple of months ago.I had never heard of the place at al....just that they were near Loughrea.Took us an hour to get there and Galway Bay Fm didn't work out there!!
They had just came from the Rosscommon league and it was the first game of the season.......We got hammered 5-1

As for the biggest City Derby i suppose ...
Hibs v Mervue
Salthill v Mervue

Yeah, I think Ballinakill joined Ros is 'cos they qualified for a Saturday league and preferred to play on Sundays. Cousin of mine plays for them.

I meant to mention the Galway city derbies too - was at a few of them years ago and Jaysus(in West Park), they were derby matches, I'll tell ya. I can still hear that awful "click" when a stud connects with an ankle bone. Plenty of that in those games.

What about West United and Claddagh Rangers or Galway Rovers or are the latter gone now? They're close enough. But Galway city has changed so much from the late 60s and 70s with the growth of Newcastle and other areas and so many new clubs starting up.

Another occasional derby was Glebe North versus any Drogheda club.

Mullingar Athletic v Mullingar Town - a derby only matched by Rangers and Celtic. Jesus, bad blood there - and that's only the respective officials.

Another derby from days of yore was Dubarry FC and B'sloe Town in the Ros. Lge. - fcuking bitter it was, families divided etc. There are still former Dubarry players who refuse to step inside The Curragh Grounds. When Man Utd youths played Beeslow in August 2000, one former Dubarry player - an absolute ManYoo fanatic - wouldn't go the match 'cos he'd have to step into the ground. True story.LOL

[Conor H]

Hamish Galway Rovers are gone AFAIK.
Any game involving Corrib Rangers in Westside is fun!

[hamish]

Hamish Galway Rovers are gone AFAIK.
Any game involving Corrib Rangers in Westside is fun!

Westside Ha ha I heard about that.

Are Claddagh Rangers still on the go?? Just looking at page 335 on sertel (RTE 2) and don't see them only Corrib Rangers. What's the story about East United?? Any connection with West United??

Hey you Waterford, Cork, Donegal folks - what about your local derbies??

[Conor H]

East United is Castle Park....no connection with west United.There originaly from Henry St.Never heard of Claddagh Rangers....i thought Galway Rovers were the only Claddagh side.....although at the moment there is no team representing Claddagh.Although West paly there games in South park which is in Claddagh.

Corrib Rangers are well Known.They had a good run in the Connacht cup and are going well in the premier i think.