Experience wins for Jamaica

Jamaica’s bid for a place at next year’s Hockey5s World Cup came to a critical juncture at the Mona Hockey Field on Sunday. At 3-0 up in the second half of the third place play off against Paraguay, the host team found itself two men down, but the experience of George McGlashan and Richard Harris saved the day.

Outnumbered, McGlashan and Harris defended stoutly and denied the anxious opponents any opportunity to control the rhythm of the game. Time and time again, they slowed the tempo and frustrated Paraguay. Afterwards, McGlashan revealed that he was playing to fulfil a dream.

“I always wanted to go to the World Cup, Olympics, somewhere farther than just playing in Jamaica. That is me,” said the 38-year-old Rastafarian.

“That two minutes is a part of experience, you know. Even though we were under pressure, we tried to just keep the ball. They wanted the ball more. We were leading, so they wanted the ball, so we just kept the ball and kept composed. And that’s what we did and did very well,” he added.

He and Harris and goalkeeper/captain Ajani Burton survived the onslaught and when reinforcements returned, Jamaica went on to win 5-2.

Six years ago, coach Duvaughn Henlon was part of the defensive unit that helped Jamaica win the Central American and Caribbean Games Qualifying tournament on the same Mona field, and no one appreciated that critical two-minute drill by the veterans more.

“George and Richie are very brilliant young men, confident in themselves, very technically good, and so they got the job done,” Henlon said

The prospect of playing for Jamaica next January in Oman, hosts of the first ever Hockey5s World Cup, is more than enough to keep McGlashan on court.

“I really do love the hockey. Can’t stop. Not now. It’s great,” he said.

He knows he has helped Jamaica to make a bit of sporting history.

“It’s a very great day, going to the World Cup for the first time, first hockey team going to World Cup and I’m a part of that,” he said.

He is especially happy for his young teammates who include 21-year-olds Nickoy Stephenson and Kevon Reid, Christopher Reid, 22, and Gian-Paul Haughton, 23.

“It’s great, it’s great, pushing them, telling them to push on, push on, even when you know they’re trying to give up. It’s great. It’s a great feeling,” McGlashan said.

Henlon was beaming from ear to ear. “I’m excited. I’m very happy, happy for the team, happy for the boys,” he said with a grin.

The success has made retirement more palatable for the man who has coached at St Andrew High.

“Even when I was a player, I was a coach. I was a coach of the Andrews ladies, so coaching has always been a part of it, and to make the transition, it has been rewarding,” Henlon said.