Latest news with #JimMaloneCup

The Irish Sun

League of Ireland's success driven on back of derbies hitting new gears, football's all about teams you love to hate

THERE was only one place to be on the final day of the League of Ireland season in 2005. That was Turner's Cross for Cork City's clash with Derry City, where Cork beat the visitors to overtake them in the last match and claim the title. Advertisement 2 Damien Duff has even fallen out with Stephen Bradley of late 2 There's clearly friction between Duff and Bohemians manager Alan Reynolds I was not there. Instead, I was at Dalymount Park for a Northside derby as Bohemians lost 3-0 to Shelbourne to confirm their sixth-place finish, 29 points behind winners Cork. The crowd was sparse but there was still enough there for a flashpoint when some Bohs fans reacted to a Shels player's gesture. Bottles were thrown but when Owen Heary eventually took a throw-in, Shelbourne glided up the other end of the pitch and Jason Byrne scored before running all the way back to goad the Bohs fans. The striker was booked, and afterwards his boss Pat Fenlon shrugged and admitted he might have done the same. Advertisement Read More On Irish Football Yet, three years later, Bohs won the Double and the three Shels men above were key to it. Heary as captain, Byrne as their top scorer and Fenlon as manager. That is a reminder of how derbies stand the test of time because of the name on the jersey and the fans in the stands. Your enemy this year could be your hero next. Tonight's Northside derby is bigger. Granted, the whole league is bigger and both sides are now challenging for honours in what is a crazy season. Advertisement Most read in Football Even the volume of Dublin derbies — 24 in the league — has not sated the appetite as attendances have shown. Shelbourne's return to the big time has been welcome, and it is telling how it has led to big rivalries returning. Moment fans sing iconic song at Stephen Bunting lookalike as they're convinced darts star is moonlighting as a steward St Pat's boss He also argued that the Ringsend derby between Shels and Shamrock Rovers is more friendly, though Hoops boss Stephen Bradley and Reds counterpart Damien Duff Advertisement Derby rivals are the people we love to hate but also grudgingly have to love, because beating them always make a weekend better. When Shamrock Rovers were in the First Division in 2006, it was not just their derby rivals' accountants who missed them. It was the same of Shels for too much of the past 20 years. It is similar this year in Louth between Drogheda United and Dundalk. Advertisement There were six derbies last year, including the Jim Malone Cup, but just one this season unless the FAI Cup pairs them together again, with the Lilywhites now in the second tier. Derry City's rivalry with Finn Harps is another not happening this year, yet is responsible for arguably the greatest ever play-off game — in 2004. MUNSTER MATCH-UP Cork City and Waterford have passed each other too often going in opposite directions between the divisions. Their relationship sums up derbies well. This week, I contacted a City-supporting friend trying to remember a Blues banner from about a decade ago that annoyed them so much. Advertisement That fan recalled the flag read, 'You can't buy history', referencing when FORAS took over the Leesiders. But the contact also admitted that Waterford's recent '20 is plenty' display highlighting increased ticket prices at Turner's Cross was appreciated by some City fans. City's €25 per ticket is the most expensive in the league as they look to thread the needle between sustainability, competitiveness and affordability. WEST'S AWAKE And tonight, there is another derby that needs to happen more often so that those of us outside the Galway and Sligo bubbles can really appreciate it. Advertisement United boss John Caulfield admitted as much this week. He said: 'That's on us. It's been our mistake because we haven't been in the division for a long time. 'It's not Sligo, because they've been very successful.' But roles have been reversed recently. Advertisement Galway were top of the table around 5.30pm last Bank Holiday Monday but are now eighth, just 150 minutes of football later. Sligo Rovers have been bottom all year despite topping the scoring charts at times this season. They will hope for a change of fortunes soon. And Caulfield is well aware how derby madness can make that happen.