Newman to step down as BT Harps boss

North Tipperary and District League Review

By Gary Culbert

Henry Newman announced that he will be stepping down as manager of BT Harps at the conclusion of the 2025/26 season.

The 53-year-old dairy & beef farmer says that it was always only ever going to be a three year project: “We said at the very start that we’d do three years with Harps, I think it’s enough too – let someone else have a chance.”

Newman is easily the most successful active manager in the league, having won every won every major trophy in the NT&DL since starting out with the old Templemore FC.

Newman has never been afraid of a new challenge. His management career includes lengthy spells with Blackcastle United, Nenagh Celtic, and BT Harps. His ability to deliver silverware domestically while also progressing deep into the FAI and Munster Junior Cups, sees the Templemore native regarded as a true legend in each of the clubs that have been lucky enough to call him manager.

Indeed, his medal haul speaks for itself: 3 Tipperary Cups with Blackcastle United; 2 Premier Division league titles with Nenagh Celtic, and 6 Premier Cups: 4 with Blackcastle, and one each with Harps and Celtic.

From the outside, it would appear that Harps are at a significant crossroads in terms of their next managerial appointment. However, after a recent meeting with current head coach Johnny Coleman, this writer was left in no doubt that the Harps will have a more than capable ready-made replacement.

“We’re trying to set a standard here in BT Harps,” Newman added.

“Once we get the first league off the ground, we’re going to drive it on. Nenagh did it for years, we want to do it; we want to stay in this league and compete and win it for the next 20 years if we can.”

Henry will be extremely hard to replace. His consistency in showing up week in, week out, his leadership, his knowledge of the league, and the culture he fostered at BT Harps will no-doubt leave a lasting mark. He is a real character around the dressing room. His quick wit and sharp humour have kept spirits high, eased pressure before big games, and helped create a strong bond within the squad. But behind the humour is a serious football brain. He understands the game deeply — how it should be played, how momentum shifts, and how to spot weaknesses in the opposition almost instantly. His tactical awareness and honesty were always respected.

Most importantly, the players love him. They respect him not just as a manager, but as a leader who genuinely cares. He brought lads together, created unity, and built an environment where players wanted to play for each other and for the club. His impact will be felt long after he steps away from the role.”

Henry Newman has never been afraid to enter into the unknown. Having up to this point led a life dedicated to football, it seems very unlikely that he will step away from the beautiful game now with a new role set to be announced next week.

Premier Division

Moneygall 9-0 Holycross

Holycross did not offer much resistance to Moneygall on Friday night. In fact, the title hopefuls did not even get out of second gear for large parts of the game.

Jack O’Brien really enjoyed himself, netting a hat-trick and assisting for two more in a player of the match display. Cameron Fleming was the other standout. Billy Hayes’ intriguing experiment to play Niall Maher in attacking midfield continued with good results - a hat-trick to be precise.

The visitors could not dispossess the big man in his quarterback role, and he found the net himself right at the death to cap off a great return to midfield. For their own sake, the sooner this young Holycross team reach the respite of the first fivision, the better.

Kevin Fogarty Tipperary Cup

Ardcroney 1-2 Ballymackey (AET)

Stand-out performances from Eamonn White, Cathal Delaney, and young James Kenneally ensured Ballymackey progressed to the last 8 of the Tipperary Cup on Sunday at the expense of Ardcroney.

The Premier division leaders shook things up in the first half, and as a result looked extremely comfortable in their new-look 3-5-2. Having spent most of the season in defence and midfield, Kieran Spain and Jack Daly lined out together up front in a surprisingly progressive move. The latter put Ardcroney in front early on, but Colm Maher drew the sides level midway through the half.

Kieran Spain should have restored the hosts’ lead not long after, but the new striker’s header dropped agonisingly wide.

An injury to Alan D’Arcy forced Ardcroney to revert to a 4-3-3 in the second half, and with that they began to gradually lose control. Furthermore, with every substitution that Ardcroney made, Ballymackey looked more and more likely to net a winner.

Conversely, the management team of George Haverty and Damien Bentley had an ace up their sleeve - Aidan White – who they sprung late on. His younger brother, Eamonn, started at centre half, and moved further up the field as the game progressed. The two Whites were linking up extremely well towards the end of normal time and into extra time, but it was young James Kenneally who stole the headlines with a tidy finish passed Kevin Shinners. Further drama saw Ballymackey keeper Brendan Hayes sent off for handling outside the box, but Ardcroney could only hit the upright from the resulting indirect free-kick.

First Division Barry Cup

A strong first half showing from Grange United secured a place in the semi-final for the sole Laois side in the NT&DL with a big win over Borrisokane on Sunday.

The 5-0 scoreline is slightly flattering. In truth, it was just a couple of telling touches in and around the box which put Tom Fitzpatrick’s side out of reach early on in Killasmeestia. Phil Tynan, in central midfield, was the player of the match, with honourable mentions for Scott Coyle in attacking midfield, Tommy Brophy at left wing, and Vinnie Cleere in defensive midfield. Brophy continues to show no signs of slowing down. It was his superb assist that teed up Stevie Finan for the first goal on six minutes.

Brophy grabbed his tenth of the season on the half hour mark, pulling the ball from the clouds with a sublime first touch and finishing with aplomb. Just a minute later, Darren Drennan was once again the provider, as his powerful run and cross was turned into the net by the oncoming defender. Scott Coyle rounded off a brilliant first half with a first-time finish on the stroke of half time for 4-0.

Coyle added his second late on, sending Grange on their way to an away semi-final against the winners of Clodiagh Rangers and Borrisoleigh.