Munster Derby

Waterford United-Cobh Ramblers
Locale Munster, Republic of Ireland
Teams Waterford United
Cobh Ramblers
First meeting Sunday October 21, 1984
Stadiums RSC
Coleman Park

Limerick FC–Cork City is an Irish football rivalry involving two of the biggest football clubs in Munster. Although Limerick and Cork are different cities 100 kilometers apart, hense it is not a 'local derby', there is a strong provincial rivalry between the two clubs. Firstly, Limerick and Cork are the two biggest cities in the largest province in Ireland, Munster. Both cities are known to have strong personalities and are known throughout the world. Both cities also have a strong sporting culture. Limerick has sometimes been named by people as the 'sporting capital of Ireland'. This is mainly because the city was given the title: 'European City of Sport' in 2011. Corkonians on the other hand are known throughout Ireland as a sports-loving people and generally most sports teams coming from Cork get a large support. Therefore, both football clubs get very strong support. Cork City have had higher ticket sales at their stadium Turners Cross, but ever since Limerick FC have moved back to their 'spiritual' home at Markets Field for the first time in 31 years in June 2015, they too have been getting high attendances.

History

The crest of Limerick FC

The first ever Munster Derby was played in Turners Cross for a Premier Division league match on Sunday October 21, 1984. The game ended 0-0. Limerick then won the second derby on Sunday February 3, 1985, 3-1 at Markets Field. Overall for a period of 10 years from the early 80s to early 90s, Limerick were the dominating club in derby clashes. But when Limerick were relegated in 1994, they didn't meet Cork in a league match until 2010, a First Division clash on Friday April 2 at Jackman Park in Limerick. Although Cork City were playing in the Premier Division, they ran into serious financial trouble because of owners and were hours away from extinction until the courts proved that Cork City had a massive 'community function' and could not be afforded to disappear. This in turn demoted them into the First Division, to meet with their old foes Limerick. Since 2010 Munster Derbies have been generally very 50/50, making it a very interesting fixture in Ireland. The clubs didn't meet in the league in 2012 either, as Cork had won promotion again, but Limerick soon followed, as they won the 2012 First Division and achieved Premier Division football for the first time in 19 years. Cork since have had the advantage in derby results although Limerick have won a notable share of derby fixtures too.

In the previous match, relegation fighting Limerick (who had not one a game in 21 league games in a row) beat Sligo Rovers for their first win of the season. They traveled to Cork who were fighting against Dundalk FC for the league title. Limerick left with all 3 points in a shock 3-2 victory which shifted the title race in Dundalk's favour away from their rivals and the relegation battle into Limerick's favour.

Culture

The crest of Cork City FC

On the pitch, the derby is notorious for rarely having a shortage of goals, some Munster Derbies have resulted in some cracking games. The game is notably that more physical than the average league or cup match. Red cards have appeared regularly in the fixture and even a few off the ball fights, on the odd occasion. Based on statistics the Munster Derby is one of the fixtures that issues the most cards in Ireland.

Overall, Munster is a province quite different to the others in Ireland, it prides itself for its rural beauty, which it is known for all over the world. It's sporting traditions and cultures are unrivaled in Ireland, Munster is a sports-mad region. Take the second and third largest cities in the Republic of Ireland into the equation, and you have two very passionate cities for sport. This is no different for soccer, and the clubs of both cities have a big following compared to other Irish clubs. This is the making of the Munster Derby, since Cork City and Limerick FC have been separated by leagues for so long, many League of Ireland fans never knew Munster had a derby. But in recent seasons the derby fixture has shown some special matches. Equaled with large attendances and passionate players.

Notable games

10 March 2013
Premier Division
Limerick FC 0-0 Cork City
17:15 - Thomond Park, Limerick
Attendance: 3,578
Referee: P. McLoughlin

Limerick's first game back in the League of Ireland Premier Division in 19 years. Plans were now in place to renovate the historical Markets Field and so while this was taking place, Limerick would place their first two seasons in the Premier Division at Thomond Park, home of Munster Rugby. Cork City were starting just their second season in the Premier Division since winning the First Division in 2011.

The game was played live on national television. It was a dull game with not a lot of chances. Barry Ryan, the Limerick goalkeeper and Mark McNulty, Cork's 'keeper, pulled off some great saves to deny goals from both sides early on. Playing for Cork that day was a young Shane Duggan from Limerick. The following year he would leave Cork City for Limerick in a big move. Interestingly, Scottish Limerick manager Stuart Taylor picked Duggan as captain straight away on his arrival in 2014.

13 March 2015
Premier Division
Cork City 5-0 Limerick FC
D. Dennehy  5,84'
B. Dennehy  17 (pen),51'
G. Holohan  45+2' 		S.Duggan Red card 32'
19:45 - Turners Cross, Cork
Attendance: 4,817
Referee: T. Connolly

At the start of the 2015 season, in Week 2, Cork City made history. They got the biggest win in Munster Derby history by battering a young and inexperienced Limerick side for 5 in a display of dominance at Turners Cross. Cork were at the back of an outstanding season by taking Dundalk FC to the last game of the season showdown title decider at Oriel Park. Although Cork lost 2-0 and came second, there were a lot of positives to be taken from that season, and City fans were even more hopeful for 2015.

Their first game at Turners Cross in 2015 was a Munster Derby crunch match against Limerick. It was highly anticipated, with a large crowd coming in at the 'Cross'. The Dennehy brothers from Tralee both scored twice on the night, with Gavan Holohan scoring the goal of the match in first half stoppage time. The ball came to him on the ground and from 25 yards, spun and fired a rocket into the top right corner. It was an embarrassing night for Limerick, who did not win a game until August 1, which saw a dramatic change of events for their season. Cork on the other hand rocketed into good form, and went into the title race.

14 August 2015
Premier Division
Cork City 2-3 Limerick FC
R. Gaynor  21'
J. O'Flynn  59' 		V. Faherty  7'
D. Clarke  36'
P. O'Connor  65'
19:45 - Turners Cross, Cork
Attendance: 3,018
Referee: D. McKeon

Limerick caused arguably the upset of the season as they went on their 3rd win on the spot (their 3rd win all season) after beating Sligo Rovers 3-2 and Bohemians 4-3 at Markets Field. For Cork this was a massive blow to their title hopes as Dundalk won on the same night bringing them a further 3 points clear of Cork at the top of the table. Some Cork fans have even gone to the extent of blaming Limerick for not winning the league in 2015. It all started very well for Limerick as a great move of passes after 7 minutes found Faherty who finished to make it 1-0 Limerick. Cork equalized through full-back Ross Gaynor on 21 minutes, a goal expected by the City fans. Then Limerick took the lead into half-time as Dubliner Dean Clarke scored in front of the famous 'Shed End' (where the singing Cork fans sit) on 36 minutes. The Limerick away crowd were delirious.

At the start of the second half and City looked stronger. This time John O'Flynn got the second equalizer for Cork to make it 2-2 on 59 minutes. But only 6 minutes later and Limerick had a corner in front of their away fans. A looping header by the young U19 Limerick defender Paudie O'Connor made it 3-2 on 65 minutes. Limerick held out and won, which was a massive boost to their survival hopes. Meanwhile, for Cork, they new it was a massive blow to their first place aspirations.

In the end, Cork fell a good bit short of Dundalk, finishing second. Therefore, they secured Europa League qualification rounds for the next season. Meanwhile, for Limerick, they miraculously left the bottom spot for the first time in the season on the last day of the season after a long string of wins. They finished 11th, and played in a relegation playoff against Finn Harps losing 2-1 on aggregate and were relegated on the last hurdle.

Results

League results since 2010

Season Date Home Team Result Away Team Stadium
2010 April 2 Limerick FC 1 – 3 Cork City FORAS Jackman Park
June 25 Cork City FORAS 1 – 2 Limerick FC Turners Cross
September 17 Limerick FC 1 – 3 Cork City FORAS Jackman Park
2011 March 18 Cork City 1 – 0 Limerick FC Turners Cross
May 30 Limerick FC 0 – 0 Cork City Jackman Park
September 3 Cork City 3 – 3 Limerick FC Turners Cross
2013 March 10 Limerick FC 0 – 0 Cork City Thomond Park
May 6 Cork City 2 – 3 Limerick FC Turners Cross
August 2 Limerick FC 2 – 1 Cork City Thomond Park
2014 May 20 Limerick FC 1 – 2 Cork City Thomond Park
June 27 Cork City 3 – 0 Limerick FC Turners Cross
September 21 Limerick FC 0 – 1 Cork City Thomond Park
2015 March 13 Cork City 5 – 0 Limerick FC Turners Cross
May 16 Limerick FC 0 – 1 Cork City Jackman Park
August 14 Cork City 2 – 3 Limerick FC Turners Cross

Cup Competition since 2008

Season Date Home Team Result Away Team Stadium Competition
2008 April 29 Cork City 3 – 0 Limerick 37' Turners Cross League of Ireland Cup
2008 June 6 Limerick 37' 0 – 2 Cork City Jackman Park FAI Cup
2010 May 11 Cork City FORAS 0 – 3 Limerick FC Turners Cross League of Ireland Cup
2012 April 9 Limerick FC 3 – 0 Cork City Jackman Park League of Ireland Cup
2012 May 7 Limerick FC 1 – 0 Cork City Jackman Park Munster Senior Cup
2014 March 10 Cork City 4 – 0 Limerick FC Turners Cross League of Ireland Cup
2015 February 28 Limerick FC 3 – 3 (AET) PENS 8 – 7 Cork City Askeaton Munster Senior Cup

Honours

Honours
Competition Limerick Cork City
TitlesYear TitlesYear
Premier Division 2 1959–60, 1979–80 2 1992–93, 2005
FAI Cup 2 1971, 1982 2 1998, 2007
League Cup 3 1976, 1993, 2002 3 1988, 1995, 1999
First Division 2 1991-92, 2012 1 2011
President's Cup 0 1 2016
Munster Senior Cup 13 1937–38, 1948–49, 1953–54, 1958–59, 1962–63, 1976–77, 1983–84, 1984–85, 1988–89, 1994–95, 2005–06, 2011–12, 2014–15 16 1987–88, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94, 1996–97, 1997–98, 1998–99, 1999-00, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2003–04, 2004–05, 2007-08
Setanta Sports Cup 0 1 2008
League of Ireland Shield 1 1953-54 0
Dublin City Cup 2 1958–59, 1969–70 0
Overall 25 26

Statistics

Since 2008 season

Competition Limerick wins Draws Cork City wins
League of Ireland 4 3 8
FAI Cup 0 0 1
League of Ireland Cup 2 0 2
Munster Senior Cup 2 0 0
Overall 8 3 11

External links

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