Biggest Irish football rivalries

The League of Ireland Premier Division boasts some of the fiercest rivalries in football, with teams all over the country competing in high stakes contests throughout their history.

The League of Ireland Premier Division has intense, passionate rivalries to match the very best.

Let's take a look at some of the biggest rivalries on the the Emerald Isle...

Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians

'The Dublin Derby'

The Dublin Derby references the clashes between Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians, two giants of Irish football.

In a contrast of political leanings, identities and cultures of fans, the two sides face off in the fiercest derby of all in the Irish capital.

Representing two areas of Dublin, Tallaght in the south and Phibsborough in the north, the Dublin Derby captivates audiences all over the nation.

This contest boasts the most successful team in Ireland (Shamrock Rovers) and the side with the biggest fanbase in the country (Bohemians), leading to electric atmospheres and high level contests at the top of the League of Ireland Premier Division.

Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians Record

Shamrock Rovers Wins	32
Bohemians Wins	32
Draws	20

St Patrick’s Athletic v Bohemians

"The Northside-Southside derby"

Dubbed "the Northside-Southside derby", St Patrick's Athletic v Bohemians is another fierce Irish derby between two Dublin based sides.

With only a few miles separating the two sides geographically, this derby can be just as harshly contested and intensely supported as the Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians derby.

St Patrick’s Athletic v Bohemians Record

St Patrick's Athletic Wins	29
Bohemians Wins	32
Draws	25

Cork City v Limerick FC/Trinity United

"The Munster Derby"

Cork City and Limerick are the two sides who make up the "Munster Derby", one of the biggest inter-county derbies in Ireland.

In 2019, Limerick FC became known as Trinity United following a dissolution, however this has done little to water down the rivalry between the two sides.

This is even in spite of Limerick's current participation in the second tier of Irish football, with both sides eagerly anticipating the opportunity to play against each other again.

Cork City v Limerick FC Record

Cork City Wins	24
Limerick/Trinity United Wins	11
Draws	12

Galway United v Sligo Rovers

"The Connacht Derby"

One of the more one-sided derbies in Ireland, the "Connacht Derby" sees Galway United face off against bitter rivals Sligo Rovers.

This particular derby has been rarer historically due to the teams' respective league situations, but in recent years, both sides typically face off in critical relegation battles.

Galway United v Sligo Rovers Record

Galway United Wins	6
Sligo Rovers Wins	24
Draws	21

Dundalk v Drogheda United

"The Louth Derby"

Separated geographically by just 35 miles, Dundalk and Drogheda United contest the "Louth Derby".

Due to the close proximity of the two sides, this matchup typically sees friends and family find themselves on opposing sides of the contest, adding a further layer to this already fierce derby.

Dundalk dominated Ireland in the 2010s, reflected in their superior record over Drogheda United in their head to heads, however in recent years Drogheda have had a resurgence, only losing one of the last five derbies against Dundalk.

Dundalk v Drogheda United Record

Dundalk Wins	33
Drogheda United Wins	16
Draws	17

Derry City v Finn Harps

"The Northwest Derby"

The "Northwest Derby" sees Derry City take on Finn Harps in one of the biggest mismatch derbies in Ireland.

Derry have won almost six times the amount of contests between the two sides as their bitter rivals have and Finn Harps have actually only won one in every eight matches between the two.

Separated by the border between Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, despite competing in the same competition, this rivalry has some extra bite to it following the complicated political history in the region.

Derry City v Finn Harps Record

Derry City Wins	29
Finn Harps Wins	5
Draws	12