The ISSA DaCosta Cup quarter-finals commenced on Saturday with a series of electrifying matches, delivering both decisive victories and hard-fought draws across Jamaica. Former titleholders Cornwall College and Glenmuir High emerged victorious in Group A, setting a competitive tone for the knockout stage.
In a tense Montego Bay encounter, Cornwall College secured a 2-0 win against McGrath High despite being reduced to ten men late in the game. The breakthrough came in the 66th minute when Shakeen Gibson executed a brilliant dribble into the six-yard box, drawing the goalkeeper and defenders before delivering a precise pass to Carlondo Morris for an easy finish. The match intensified when Cornwall’s goalkeeper Carlyle Tingling received a straight red card in the 88th minute. Nevertheless, substitute Shaheem Bernard sealed the victory in stoppage time with a 22-yard free kick that bewildered McGrath’s goalkeeper Orlando Griffiths.
Meanwhile, a thrilling Clarendon derby saw Glenmuir High edge out Kemps Hill High 3-2 in a high-scoring affair. Glenmuir established a commanding 2-0 lead within 39 minutes through Oneil Headley and Dunsting Cohen. Despite a resilient comeback effort from Kemps Hill, which included a goal in the 76th minute, Orel Miller extended Glenmuir’s lead to 3-1 in the 89th minute. A late consolation goal from Kemps Hill in added time proved insufficient to alter the outcome.
Group B witnessed two intensely competitive draws. St Elizabeth Technical High (STETHS) and Clarendon College battled to a 1-1 stalemate, with Kaieem Lewis converting a 50th-minute penalty for STETHS before Rwanie Rampasaul equalized for Clarendon just seven minutes later. Similarly, Dinthill Technical High and Christiana High concluded their match deadlocked at 1-1, ensuring all four teams remain tightly contested in the group standings.
The results position Cornwall College and Glenmuir favorably in Group A, while Group B remains perfectly balanced heading into the next round of fixtures.