North-west Derby (Ireland)

The North-west Derby (Finn Harps v Derry City) is the name of the soccer match played between Finn Harps and Derry City. Although Sligo Rovers also play in the northwest of Ireland, the clubs' respective games with this team are not considered to represent the playing of the traditional Northwest Derby. It has been hotly contested on a season-to-season basis since Derry's inception into the League of Ireland in 1985, with the rival clubs often meeting on a number of occasions during the one season.

History

The derby exists since Derry City's entry into the League of Ireland in 1985 as a result of the close proximity of the club's respective homes to the other's. The city of Derry in County Londonderry is located about just 40 miles from the Donegal town of Ballybofey, where Finn Harps play. Sligo, on the other hand, although still considered to be within the realm of the northwest region, is further afield for both clubs.

The rivalry between the teams is fuelled by quite a substantial gulf in success, a rural-urban and a national divide between the two. Derry's support comes largely from the city of Derry while Finn Harps, who have been less successful historically, play in a small regional market-town and take their support from the whole of County Donegal. Even though they have quite a large support-base in Letterkenny, a sizable proportion of their support is derived from those who are culturally rural. Because of this, Derry fans often view and verbally abuse their...
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