PURPLE REIGN

The Purples rule supreme as Manning Cup champions Kingston College (KC) crowned themselves all-island champions when they defeated daCosta Cup kingpins Garvey Maceo High to claim their 11th ISSA Olivier Shield title 4-3 on penalties, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time at St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) yesterday.

In the game, which was lacklustre in the initial stages but became quiet intense towards the end, Garvey Maceo took the lead in the 65th minute, courtesy of Omarian O’Brian.

KC drew level at the 84th minute by way of an own goal from Garvey Maceo’s Tyreek McKenley, forcing the game into penalties.

With KC celebrating 100 years, Vassell Reynolds, the school’s head coach said winning on the occasion of their centenary makes the win more special.

“It means a lot to end in this manner. At least when the 100th year comes in April next year, we will have the trophy in the cabinet,” Reynolds told The Sunday Gleaner after celebrating the win.

“The title indicated the long haul of a long season and combining for such a happy moment. It is a pleasing moment for me, the hard work of the coaching staff and the entire school body, led by our principal Mr Dave Myrie,” he continued.

“All the sweat, blood and tears all season, we told them ‘just play down to the last minute’. When we conceded, we were concerned but not overly worried because, fitness-wise, it would take us over the top,” he added.

Meanwhile, Lester Hibbert, head coach of Garvey Maceo – known as ‘The Cubanz’ because the school was constructed and dedicated as a gift to Jamaica by its Spanish-speaking neighbours – said, despite the loss, the boys are true champions.

“Nothing went wrong per se. I believe we had control of the game. In the thirds, we controlled the ball and had possession, we were making penetrating runs, we scored a goal in the second half. When you look in the last few minutes, we conceded an own goal. It’s not an over-achievement. What you work for is what you reap, and we were preparing from pre-season,” Hibbert said.

He added: “Such is the penalty shootout, it is a 50-50 game. When you go to penalties, our goalkeeper came up big. Unfortunately, they are young teenagers and we can’t pressure them. Congrats, KC, for winning the Olivier Shield,” he added.

Struggled to find rhythm

In the first half, both teams struggled to find a rhythm.

Garvey Maceo started the second half more composed and had control. In the 65th minute. it paid off with O’Brian scoring.

‘The Cubanz’ showed their defensive prowess for long periods, but the Purples would not back down and kept attacking. In the 84th minute, a cross from KC’s Damaine Smith deflected into his own goal off Garvey Maceo’s McKenley, to level the scores.

Garfield Tomlinson, Garvey Maceo’s goalkeeper, stepped up big, saving Zaire Douse’s and Kelvin Brown’s penalties, but it wasn’t enough to lead his team to a win.

Garvey Maceo’s McKenley, Delano Thompson and Livingston Donaldson missed penalties.

The win means KC once again denied Garvey Maceo their first Olivier Shield title, just like they did in 2021.

ashley.anguin@gleanerjm.com