PREVIEW: If Nomads beat TNS in Sunday’s Welsh Cup final, it will be a bigger shock than last year’s surprise result

Connah’s Quay Nomads won the Welsh Cup last season, beating The New Saints 2-1 in the final. Picture: FAW

Can lightning strike twice in the same place when Connah’s Quay Nomads take on The New Saints in the JD Welsh Cup final on Sunday?

Last year, under the management of Neil Gibson, the Nomads upset Saints’ treble dreams when they beat the Cymru Premier champions 2-1 in the final at Rodney Parade, Newport.

It was a surprise result given TNS’ general command of Welsh domestic football, but not a total shock as Connah’s Quay finished second in the league – albeit 33 points behind Craig Harrison’s full-timers.

Another Nomads win in this Sunday’s showpiece – again at Rodney Parade – would be a bigger turn-up for the books.

Just like last season, Saints are league champions, but in 2024-25 the Quay have under-achieved considerably, failing to make the top six at the end of phase 1 and finishing eighth overall, not enough to earn them a place in the European play-offs.

However, a good run in the Welsh Cup, a competition where the Deesiders have excelled in recent seasons, has left the door still open to Europe for the Essity Stadium sharers.

TNS, record 17-time Cymru Premier champions, are aiming for a 10th Welsh Cup success since they lifted the trophy as Llansantffraid in 1995-96.

Twice national league title winners Nomads have also landed the Welsh Cup on two occasions, in 2017-18 and 2023-24.

Sunday’s finalists have met quite often in Wales’ premier national knockout since the turn of the millenium – and the overall record in eight ties only stands at 5-3 in wins for TNS.

Saints won both league meetings with Nomads this season, but only by two goals to one each time.

Nomads are definitely underdogs for the 137th Welsh Cup Final, but far from no-hopers.

NOMADS v TNS – WELSH CUP HISTORY

2023-24 – FINAL
Connah’s Quay Nomads 2 (Harry Franklin, Josh Williams) The New Saints 1 (Ash Baker)
2018-19 – FINAL
The New Saints 3 (Ryan Brobbel 2, Greg Draper) Connah’s Quay Nomads 0
2017-18 QUARTER FINAL
Connah’s Quay Nomads 2 (Michael Bakare, Callum Morris pen) The New Saints 1 (Aeron Edwards)
2016-17 – SEMI FINAL
The New Saints 3 (Adrian Cieslewicz, Aeron Edwards, Jamie Mullan) Connah’s Quay Nomads 0
2015-16 – SEMI-FINAL
The New Saints 5 (Scott Quigley 3, Jamie Mullan, Matthew Williams) Connah’s Quay Nomads 0
2014-15 – QUARTER-FINAL
The New Saints 1 (Scott Quigley) Connah’s Quay Nomads 0
2007-08 – ROUND TWO
Connah’s Quay Nomads 3 The New Saints 1 (aet)
2003-04 – ROUND TWO
Total Network Solutions 5 Connah’s Quay Nomads 0

PATHS TO THE FINAL

Connah’s Quay Nomads

Round Two: Nomads 5 Guilsfield 0
Round Three: Trefelin BGC 1 Nomads 2
Round Four: Nomads 1 Mold Alexandra 0
Quarter-Final: Caerau Ely 0 Nomads 2
Semi-Final: Nomads 2 Llanelli Town 1

The New Saints

Round Two: The New Saints 16 Llangollen Town 0
Round Three: Cardiff Met University 1 The New Saints 3
Round Four: The New Saints 4 Colwyn Bay 1
Quarter-Final: The New Saints 5 Airbus UK Broughton 0
Semi-Final: Cambrian United 0 The New Saints 5