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 West Ulster clubs often meeting on a number of occasions during the one season.
The derby has existed 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.
Abusive and demeaning songs sung by Derry's supporters include: You are a culchie, A smelly cuchie, You're only happy on market day, Your ground's a cow-shed, Your fans are inbred, You're only sheep-shaggers from Ballybofey.
Some still refuse to sings songs in relation to the player, but the majority of fans have welcomed McHugh's impressive skill, fitness and work ethic and forgive him for his "humorous" celebration.
The most recent meeting, in the 2020 season ended in a 1-1 draw Dubbed the Battle of the Brandywell[1] by the media, there was a huge amount at stake in this game - the second leg of the 2003 League of Ireland Promotion/relegation play-off final.
Noel King led Finn Harps into the game after previously managing Derry and guiding them to a League of Ireland title in 1997.
Inflatable sheep could be seen floating over the heads of fans in the old 'Jungle' area of the stadium, while Derry came in for criticism from offended Finn Harps officials after the game, as prior to the game's beginning, a rendition of Baa Baa Black Sheep was played over the Brandywell PA system in order to taunt the opposition.
A large pitch invasion occurred after the final whistle was blown and certain Finn Harps fans had felt threatened by the excited behaviour of some of Derry's supporters.
By the end of the tense affair, the Finn Harps manager had also been sent from the dug-out by the referee, Alan Kelly, for losing his cool after protesting Derry's second goal in extra-time.
Confusion abounded in the Finn Harps defence and their players had seemed to stall in response as if to suggest they believed that they had heard a whistle or that play had been brought to a halt by the referee for the bad tackle on Coyle.
Two of King's players, Shane Bradley and Kevin McHugh, were also later sent off from the field of play in separate incidents during the fiery second half of extra-time.