2 weeks ago
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WITH JUST seconds left on the clock, a goal from Omarion O’Brian was the spark Garvey Maceo High School needed to orchestrate a dramatic end to the 2024 ISSA daCosta Cup, clipping McGrath High School 5-3 on penalties inside the National Stadium yesterday after a 1-1 draw at the end of regulation time.
Garvey Maceo snatched the all-important win from the jaws of defeat as they got the better of first-time finalists McGrath to confirm their third hold on the rural schoolboy football title.
McGrath started the afternoon in fine form as the ever-reliable Devone Davis gave them the lead in the opening 15 minutes of the contest.
They showed their defensive prowess as they held off Garvey Maceo’s waves of attacks throughout the contest and had started celebrations early in the stands with the lone strike serving as separation with just seconds away from the final whistle.
However, O’Brian stole the limelight in time added on as with a brilliant turn on the edge of the box, he slotted home to force the game into the dreaded penalty shootout.
Garfield Tomlinson, Garvey Maceo’s goalkeeper, stepped up big, saving Isaac Mason’s penalty to hand his team the lead.
O’Brian, speaking after the match, was elated he could play a key role in securing the title for his team.
“We have to take chances and kick our chances to goal. All the time I was trying my best to get a goal and get a shot off and it went in, so I’m very happy. I’m glad I could help the team lift the title,” he said.
Tomlinson said he was confident he would be able to hold his nerve and save a penalty to tip the odds in his team’s favour.
“Once Omarion scored the equaliser, I told my team to just score five and I will bring them home,” he remarked.
Lester Hibbert, the winning coach on the night, said the victory comes from his team’s belief in their abilities to finish the season as champions.
“Just belief,” he stated.
“Even in the celebrations I got a scar and that is for the Cubanz family and the people that never gave up on us. A true believer is a real believer and we did it.
“As we said, it just has to do with passion and our history. Being past students of the school, that’s what drives us and brings out the passion in us to keep on going over and over again. When people think that time is up, trust me, God never stops the time on us.”
The win means Garvey Maceo will meet Kingston College (KC) in the Olivier Shield decider set for Saturday, December 14.
Earlier in the afternoon, St Elizabeth Technical (STETHS) won the ISSA Ben Francis knockout title as they got the better of Clarendon College 3-1 on the day.
English (US) ·