Jamaica College wins Manning Cup, Clarendon College takes home Dacosta Cup

For the first time in three years, both Jamaica College and Clarendon College are schoolboy football champs once again, winning the Manning Cup and Dacosta Cup respectively.

Jamaica College survived a fierce battle with St. Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) at Sabina Park, winning 8-7 on penalties on Friday after a 1-1 draw in regulation. STATHS, who came from behind in regulation time, were up 4-3 in the shootout before Namar Nelson missed what would have been the title-clinching kick. Rashaun Frankson then missed in sudden death to secure the trophy for JC.

The victory scored Jamaica College its 31st Manning Cup title while denying STATHS its first triumph in the ISSA-sponsored competition since 1987. It also marked the second time in a week JC beat STATHS on penalties. They also topped them on spot kicks in the 2022 Champions Cup semi-final.

Clarendon College didn’t have to work nearly as hard to secure the Dacosta Cup title as they dominated first-time finalists, Central High School, 3-0 at the S.T.E.T.H.S home ground in St. Elizabeth on Saturday. Goals from Malachi Douglas (14th minute), Kristoffe Graham (60th minute) and Keheim Dixon (85th minute) did the business for Clarendon College on the day.

For Clarendon College, it’s their first Dacosta Cup win since they won the Dacosta Cup/Olivier Shield double in 2019. Their 10th triumph in the competition also came with heavy hearts following the tragic passing of assistant coach, Neville ‘Manny’ Peart last Thursday following a car accident in St. Catherine.