Whats the biggest derby in Irish football

**red bellied** · 30/03/2008, 12:31 PM

Originally Posted by historynut

Historically was not the original big Dublin derby Drumcondra v Shamrock Rovers, Real northsiders v southsiders.
I would say that it was the demise of Drums and Bohs dropping of amatuer status (both late 60's) that saw Bohs emerge as prominent North side club,
Ironically one would think the ultimate Dublin derby should be Shels v Rovers as both clubs originated from the same part of town.
This season should see an interesting encounter in Div 1, re the Midlands Derby - Athlone v Longford. Athlone seeing themselves as traditionally the midlands no1 club, having to swallow the bitter pill of Longfords success since their election to the league.
Out of curiosity why is Harps v Sligo not got the rivalry that Derry v Harps has ?

Before Derry entered the league the Sligo Rovers/Finn Harps fixture was a guaranteed crowd puller. Especially late seventies early eighties when both teams were doing well and there was the Patsy McGowan factor. I remember when I started going to the Showgrounds around 1982 there was 5,000 crowd for a League Cup fixture. Nothing like that now but there was decent enough crowds in Rovers promotion season in 1994 in the Showgrounds and Ballybofey.

**BohsPartisan** · 30/03/2008, 12:32 PM

No mention of Shels v Sp. Fingal?

**holidaysong** · 30/03/2008, 12:39 PM

Dundalk - Monaghan is considered a derby by them, not by us.

**superfrank** · 30/03/2008, 12:40 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

If this is a derby/rivalry, then so is UCD v Bray.

So it's not. Except at a very minor level maybe.

In fairness, Bray UCD is a bit of a rivalry. They both have similar levels of quality and both tend to be in or around each other in the league. Either we're battling at the top of the First or down the bottom of the Premier.

Biggest in the eircom league in terms of passion and tension is, doubtless, the Bohs Rovers one.

Derry Harps may get big crowds but there seem to be a lot of friendliness between the two clubs. Whereas, Bohs and Rovers absolutely hate each other.

I interviewed Shay Kelly before and he told me that when he played in the derby, someone threw a pig's head onto the pitch and people were throwing pig's feet at the players. That is rivalry.

The biggest derby on this island is definitely Linfield Glentoran.

**The Man Himself** · 30/03/2008, 12:46 PM

Originally Posted by half_full

Bohs Vs. Rovers is the only proper derby in the LoI. Waterford Vs. Cork isn't a derby, never has been.

munster derby ya plank.

**BohsPartisan** · 30/03/2008, 12:48 PM

Originally Posted by The Man Himself

munster derby ya plank.

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!

**holidaysong** · 30/03/2008, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by BohsPartisan

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!

I wouldn't say they have to be in the same city. Liverpool - Manchester United is most definitely a derby.

**Cosmo** · 30/03/2008, 12:50 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

If this is a derby/rivalry, then so is UCD v Bray.

So it's not. Except at a very minor level maybe.

In fairness Monaghan people hate dundalk. My grandfather was a monaghan fan and I used to go to some of their matches when I was a kid when visiting him and they do hate them.

Dont think it works both ways as much though - but a dundalk fan would answer that better.

Personally I love Drogheda/ Dundalk derby.

Derry/Harps one sounds good too.

Cork dont really seem to have a proper one with either waterford or cobh!

Have been to rovers/bohs and didnt think it was anything special! Best one on the island though is defo Linfield V Glentoran! Went to Portadown V Glentoran this season too which was fairly decent (thats another 'grudge' match up there)

**Finlay Harp** · 30/03/2008, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by BohsPartisan

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!

Have to disagree. Harps and Derry are in two different counties but are only about 20 miles apart. Its still a derby as many of the fans work together, live together and socialise together.

**historynut** · 30/03/2008, 12:58 PM

Bit of a rivalry for a Portadown v Glenavon encounter.

**Poor Student** · 30/03/2008, 1:03 PM

Originally Posted by BohsPartisan

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!

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** · 30/03/2008, 1:03 PM

Originally Posted by BohsPartisan

No mention of Shels v Sp. Fingal?

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

.

**BohsPartisan** · 30/03/2008, 1:05 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

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** · 30/03/2008, 1:05 PM

Originally Posted by historynut

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** · 30/03/2008, 1:08 PM

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** · 30/03/2008, 1:09 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

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** · 30/03/2008, 1:09 PM

Originally Posted by Cosmo

Personally I love Drogheda/ Dundalk derby.

Ditto

**superfrank** · 30/03/2008, 1:13 PM

Originally Posted by skitz3

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

, the Pats Shels match is known as the Registration Derby, see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eircom_...reland#Derbies.

**osarusan** · 30/03/2008, 1:15 PM

Originally Posted by Finlay Harp

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** · 30/03/2008, 1:17 PM

Originally Posted by 4 in a row

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!