A highly anticipated showdown for juvenile football supremacy is set to unfold as Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory square off against Lannaman’s in the Jamaica Independent Schools Association National Under-12 Henriques Cup final. The championship match, scheduled for 10:30 AM at Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory grounds, represents a quest for redemption for both squads seeking their first silverware of the season.
Lannaman’s enters the final carrying the weight of last year’s disappointing finals defeat, determined to reclaim their championship pedigree after several trophy-less seasons across both knockout and league competitions. Their journey to the final was secured through a hard-fought 2-0 semi-final victory over Hillel Academy, with both goals materializing during extra time in a tense encounter.
Opponents Sts Peter and Paul, current defending league champions, battled through their own semi-final challenge, edging Liberty Academy 1-0 in a match marred by disciplinary issues that resulted in red cards for one Liberty player and an assistant coach.
Lannaman’s Head Coach Haron ‘German’ Martin expressed profound pride in his team’s resilience and quality following their semi-final performance. ‘After the heartbreak of last year’s final defeat, our focus has been unwavering—return to the championship match and complete the mission by lifting the trophy,’ Martin stated. He particularly praised the development pipeline at Lannaman’s, noting ‘While we’ve seen players move on, our program continually produces talented replacements who have performed exceptionally.’
For Sts Peter and Paul, this final presents an opportunity to avenge last season’s semi-final elimination at the hands of Lannaman’s. Head Coach Kemar Edwards emphasized his team’s dominant form throughout the season, highlighting their unblemished record and remarkable defensive solidity having conceded just one goal. ‘The memory of penalty shootout defeat last year fuels our motivation. We possess a strong, albeit young, squad that deserves this victory after an outstanding campaign,’ Edwards commented, expressing confidence in his team’s preparedness for the title decider.
Prior to the main event, Hillel Academy and Liberty Academy will contest the third-place playoff at 9:00 AM, setting the stage for a day of youthful football excellence at the preparatory level.