The Ultimate Dublin Derby - Keith Buckley interview
The multitude of Dublin clubs makes it seem that there is a derby every week but for most when the Dublin Derby is mentioned they think Bohemians versus Shamrock Rovers. This Friday that fixture is the ultimate Dublin Derby as far as BFC midfielder Keith Buckley is concerned and the cousin of UFC fighter Conor McGregor draws some inspiration in the work ethic of Ireland’s most successful mixed martial artist.
“He has got where he is because of hard work and that is all it is,” said Buckley speaking about his cousin on the latest episode of the Extratime.ie Sportcast. “People think that he was born into it but they are now seeing the side of him that he was getting up at certain hours, spending so many hours in the gym.
“On the football field myself, if I am limited in some kind of quality, I try to make up for it with others and that is why I always give 100%.”
If it isn’t the Octagon that Buckley can get motivation from, it can be Bohs’ form in their last eight Dublin Derby league games at Dalymount Park. The Gypsies host the Hoops on Friday where, in the last five seasons, Bohs have earned four wins with the Hoops having won only once in that time (an early season 3-1 victory back in 2014).
Buckley believes that Bohs have bossed this fixture in recent seasons because the Gypsies have shown more desire in the game. Their more settled squad he feels has given them an advantage.
“We have a lot of hard working players that are with the club a good few years and they know what it means to the club. There are a few players who have been in and out with Rovers from year to year. This is the big one that we want to deliver for the fans.”
It is a game that Buckley relishes playing in and despite his young years, the 23 year old seems like a veteran in the fixture. He scored his first goal for the Gypsies in this derby fixture back in 2011, was influential in the memorable 4-0 thumping of Rovers in 2012 and a selfie last year of him on derby day in Tallaght in front of a LUAS packed with Bohs fans was a viral hit!
“I always seem to have fairly good games against them. They are feisty and heated. That is the way I play. It is great the occasion, the build up to the game and the hype around the stadium. You just want to go out and win. It is crazy.”
Bohs come into the game with back-to-back league victories (2-0 wins over Longford Town and Bray Wanderers) with a Leinster Senior Cup 4-3 win over Dundalk sandwiched in the middle. Meanwhile Rovers come to Dalymount hurting from a comprehensive 3-0 defeat in Derry last Friday.
“I don’t think form really affects a big game like this. It is whoever wants it most wins on the day. In the last couple of years we have wanted it more. It is great to get a push and get three wins under our belt to give us momentum coming into the game. Rovers will be out in force having been thumped in Derry.”
When this Dublin Derby fixture next rolls around in June and the teams play each other for the second time this season, it will be the week of UFC 200 in Las Vegas when Conor McGregor will take on Nate Diaz for the second time. McGregor has moved from featherweight to welterweight to a 170lb fight but Buckley’s thoughts that week in June will be on the heavyweight clash of Dublin’s north south divide. We will see on Friday whether his club will go into that match with more Dublin Derby momentum.
You can hear Keith Buckley’s interview in full on Episode 66 of the Extratime.ie Sportcast here. We also spoke to Longford Manager Tony Cousins about his experience of playing in the Dublin Derby (“They are brilliant games. There is a special little bit of spice about them. We all know with the fans there is a little bit of hatred there and that adds to the occasion.”).
Premier Division
| StandingsIRELAND: Premier Division | |||||
| Round 6 | |||||
| 11.04. 16:00 | Finn Harps | St. Patricks | 1 : 2 | ||
| Round 7 | |||||
| 09.04. 15:30 | Bray | Bohemians | 0 : 2 | ||
| 09.04. 15:30 | Longford | Dundalk | 0 : 4 | ||
| 08.04. 15:45 | Cork City | Wexford | 1 : 1 | ||
| 08.04. 15:45 | Derry City | Shamrock Rovers | 3 : 0 | ||
| 08.04. 15:45 | Galway | Finn Harps | 1 : 0 | ||
| 08.04. 15:45 | St. Patricks | Sligo Rovers | 1 : 1 | ||
| Round 6 | |||||
| 02.04. 15:45 | Sligo Rovers | Cork City | 0 : 0 | ||
| 01.04. 16:00 | Shamrock Rovers | Galway | 2 : 0 | ||
| 01.04. 16:00 | Wexford | Bray | 2 : 0 | ||
| 01.04. 15:45 | Bohemians | Longford | 2 : 0 | ||
| 01.04. 15:45 | Dundalk | Derry City | 1 : 1 | ||
| StandingsIRELAND: Premier Division | |||||
| Round 8 | |||||
| 15.04. 15:45 | Bohemians | Shamrock Rovers | |||
| 15.04. 15:45 | Dundalk | Sligo Rovers | |||
| 15.04. 15:45 | Galway | Cork City | |||
| 15.04. 15:45 | St. Patricks | Wexford | |||
| 15.04. 16:00 | Finn Harps | Bray | |||
| 16.04. 15:30 | Longford | Derry City | |||
| Round 9 | |||||
| 22.04. 15:45 | Cork City | Finn Harps | |||
| 22.04. 15:45 | Derry City | Bohemians | |||
| 22.04. 15:45 | Shamrock Rovers | Dundalk | |||
| 22.04. 16:00 | Wexford | Galway | |||
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