Munro College have their sights firmly set on ending a 60-year daCosta Cup drought in this year’s ISSA/WATA competition.
First-year coach Kemar Ricketts told The Gleaner that this is the main objective in the 2024 season for the 168-year-old school (known as Potsdam School before it was renamed during World War 1). The school won its last daCosta Cup title in 1964 when they defeated Titchfield High School 4-1 in the final.
According to Ricketts, the team is, however, taking it one step at a time.
“We are in the quarterfinals stage now, this is one more step closer to what we want to achieve, which is ending that 60-year- drought,” Ricketts said. “The boys are really putting in the work, and they understand what I require from them, and they are delivering. I am very demanding both on and off the pitch.”
The St Elizabeth-based school is the first to win both the daCosta Cup since its inception in 1950 and the Olivier Shield. They have won seven daCosta Cup titles and the most Olivier Shield titles (19) in rural Jamaica.
Over the years, Munro College has produced outstanding sportsmen such as the late Lindy Delapenha, the first Jamaican to play professional football in England; Nelson Christian Stokes, who played on the 1981 daCosta Cup team and was a member of world-renowned Jamaican Bobsleigh Team; Dr Dean Weatherly, a highly rated coach with the most success at Cornwall College, winning 10 of their 12 titles; Eddison “Eddie” Hinds; Winston George Hutchinson, who captained the daCosta Cup team to several victories; and Ken Walton, who won three daCosta Cup titles.
However, they have been experiencing a barren patch in their title quest in recent years. It has been 17 years since Munro advanced to the quarterfinals of the daCosta Cup. Wednesday’s dramatic 2-1 over defending champions Clarendon College was their first in 24 years, and Saturday’s 3-1 win over Cornwall College was the first in over 40 years.
“It is not something we set out to do from day one. It just happened as the season progressed. From the start of the season, we wouldn’t have been looking at all on these records and saying we want to end the drought, but it is a wonderful feeling,” Ricketts said.
Additionally, Ricketts said they were firm on discipline from day one.
“We knew if we could get the discipline right, we could achieve great things. I don’t believe you can achieve anything without discipline. Whether it is your attitude or how you approach the game, it is paramount that we get that part right.
“Our aim is to create an identity. When you think of Clarendon College, Glenmuir High, or St George’s College, there is a specific identity that comes with these teams.”
In this year’s daCosta Cup, Munro advanced as winners of their zones in both the first and second rounds.
“We have seen an increase in support from a lot of the old boys and the fanbase. The reception has been very good, and we encourage it and want others to come on board. We need that kind of support to push the team even further,” Ricketts said.