Foyle Harps regain Terry Kelly Cup with victory over Newell

Terry Kelly Cup Final

Foyle Harps 2

Newell 0

Foyle Harps got their hands back on the Terry Kelly Cup and in the process got a bit of revenge on Newell in Saturday’s Terry Kelly Cup final at Wilton Park.

In the same cup final just 12 months ago, Newell shocked local football with a brilliant 1-0 win over Harps to pick up their first senior trophy, ending their opponents’ four-year unbeaten streak in the process.

On that occasion, Garvan Feeney’s first half penalty proved to be enough, but the real star on the day was Newell goalkeeper Taylor Clarke, who produced an incredible display, denying the much-fancied Harps again and again, to deny the serial winners a quadruple and also bring an end to a winning streak that went back 31 games, all the way back to May 30, 2019.  

That would have been extra motivation for Harps heading into this cup final, and on this occasion, their quality in the final third decided it for them, with goals from Gareth McFadden and Calvin McCallion sealing a win which, although deserved, was not spectacular.

Newell did have their moments, particularly in the first half, but their failure to take them ultimately cost them and they were unable to make much of an impact throughout the second half as Harps cruised to yet another trophy.

There was a minutes’ silence before Saturday’s game at Wilton Park for Richard Edwards, who tragically passed away after a rad accident last week.

When the game did get underway, the opening went exactly as Harps would have hoped as they got the opening goal within 10 minutes. The last thing that Harps wanted was to give Newell any encouragement, with last year’s final still in their minds, and when McFadden finished from close range following Sean McCarron’s cross, they really settled into this cup final.

It was very nearly 2-0 within minutes as McCarron tested Clarke with a fierce effort from an angle which the Newell goalkeeper had to push away, this a really dangerous spell for Newell, who had yet to settle into the game.

But the game could have changed in a matter of seconds as Newell counter-attacked from that Harps corner with Feeney playing in Doherty, but as he closed in on goalkeeper Connor Brown, he took his eye off the ball and mis-hit it completely. It should have been 1-1.

Another chance soon followed for Newell, who, despite the miss, had gained some confidence from the creation of that chance, and Patrick McLaughlin pulled the ball back for Kieran McClaren in the area. The striker aimed his effort at the bottom corner and although he didn’t catch it properly, it was still headed in past Brown until Aaron McLaughlin hooked it off the line to safety.

Newell were starting to string passes together as they grew in confidence, and Harps knew they were in a game against a team which were disciplined, but also ambitious, short, sharp passing, and movement off the ball that made them great to watch in an entertaining first half. The only thing letting Newell down was their end product, with McLaughlin having a shot turned behind for a corner before he was picked out unmarked and headed well off target.

Half Time 1-0

The next goal in this game always looked to be decisive and Harps very nearly got it on the hour mark when McFadden’s free kick inti a crowded area almost went straight in, until a fantastic reaction save from Clarke somehow kept the ball out of the net.

Newell struggled to get going in the second half however, and the longer the gam went on, the more inevitable a Harps victory looked with the holders unable to threaten as they did in the first half.

The second Harps goal eventually came on 75 minute and hesitation from Clarke cost him dearly as Shane Boyle’s long free kick in behind saw Calvin McCallion react quickest, and he steered the ball past the goalkeeper to seal the win and another trophy for his team.

The game was over as a contest after that but Harps may have added another in the final 10 minutes when Jamie Dunne crossed to McCallion at the back post, but the striker headed wide when he should have at least tested Clarke.

Newell, to their credit, never stopped trying and they created chances in injury time at the end of the game, McClaren crossing for Ryan McFadden, but he headed straight at Brown.

The final game of another D&D season will take place in less than two weeks’ time with the Jimbo Crossan Cup the final trophy on offer, and it seems almost inevitable that Harps will be there again. Newell stopped them last year, but it remains to be seen if anyone else can do it in 2024.

Teams

Foyle Harps: Connor Brown, Aaron McLaughlin, Gareth McFadden, Shane Boyle, Dee Dee Campbell, Jamie Dunne, Calvin McCallion, Odhran Scarlett, Benny McFadden, Gareth Brown, Oran McLaughlin, Sean McCarron, Niall Murray, Colm Paul Robb, Ryan Doherty, Stephen Duffy.

Newell: Taylor Clarke, Conor Moore, Kevin Roddy, Blaine Dobbins, Brian Rainey, Patrick McLaughlin, Aaron Kivlehan, Garvan Feeney, Ryan McFadden, Eamon Doherty, Kieran McClaren, Caolan McCole, Adam Clarke.

Officials: Paul Doherty, Eamon Harrigan and Gareth Burns.