“Fortis, fortis!” were the resounding cries at the National Stadium last night as Kingston College (KC), the famed purples of North Street, defeated St Catherine High 3-1 in the final of the 2024 ISSA Manning Cup competition.
KC claimed their 17th hold on the prestigious urban schoolboy football title to deny a fairytale ending for first-time finalists St Catherine.
Damaine Smith, the boy they call ‘Messi’, was an emotional figure after the final whistle as he thanked his coach, Vassell Reynolds, as well as the KC fans for their continued belief and support.
“First and foremost, I want to say thanks to the fans for coming out and supporting us. I have to say thanks to the coaching staff, especially Vassell Reynolds. He pushed me and he and told me ‘Messi, you’ve got this one’,” he explained.
KC took control early in the contest as they pegged St Catherine back with waves of pressure within the opening minutes.
They found purchase in the 37th minute when Jaeshawn Edwards, the 15-year-old defender, was left unmarked in the box and headed home from close range.
Demario Daley added the second just before the half-time whistle to shatter St Catherine’s spirit. The robust striker was in the right place at the right time to finish off Deshawn Byfield’s assist and double KC’s lead.
Byfield and Daley would combine for yet another goal in the 53rd minute. This time, it is Daley who teed up Byfield with a brilliant cross into the box as the winger made no mistake with a one-time cushioned volley.
A blot on an otherwise perfect night for KC came just on the hour mark as Byfield scored an own goal from a corner delivery from Dwight Gentles to give St Catherine a glimmer of hope.
The trailing team found a new lease on life and, buoyed by their support in the stands, began to press for a comeback but could not get the better of KC’s defence.
Reynolds, the winning coach, explained that the game plan was to disrupt St Catherine’s usual style of play and isolate their attacking options throughout the contest.
“They are very strong in midfield, so we knew we had to crowd them out there. I thought the boys stuck to that well, so we stifled them and they could hardly play to their front four which they depend on a lot,” he explained.
“It was a well-executed plan and we couldn’t want it better than what we had today,” he added.
Donovan Lofters, St Catherine’s assistant coach, was gracious in defeat as his team capped off a history-making season.
“It means a lot for us. We are here at the end, so there is nothing for us to be ashamed of. We showed some character after going 3-0 down and we came back and we fought. It’s our first time in the finals, so some of the guys were a little bit nervous but after a while we did well.”
KC have now advanced to the Olivier Shield playoff where they await the winners of today’s daCosta Cup final between McGrath High and Garvey Maceo High.
Earlier in the afternoon, Mona High won their first ISSA Walker Cup title as they defeated Excelsior High 4-1.