The quarterfinal stage of the ISSA daCosta Cup competition culminated on Saturday, definitively establishing the four semifinalists. Former champions St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS), Dinthill Technical, Glenmuir High, and Kemps Hill High successfully secured their advancement in a day of high-stakes matches across Jamaica.
In a tightly contested Group B encounter, STETHS and Dinthill Technical concluded their campaigns with a tense 0-0 stalemate at the STETHS Sports Complex in Santa Cruz. This result propelled both squads to five points each, ensuring their progression from the group based on superior goal difference over their rivals.
Meanwhile, Group A witnessed a dramatic conclusion. Glenmuir High, demonstrating resilience, overturned a one-goal deficit to force a 1-1 draw with a determined Cornwall College. This hard-fought point cemented Glenmuir’s position at the summit of the group with seven points. Their closest challengers, Kemps Hill High, sealed their own semifinal berth by narrowly defeating McGrath High 1-0 at the Ewarton Sports Complex, finishing just one point behind the leaders.
The reward for these four triumphant teams is twofold: a coveted place in the daCosta Cup semi-finals and automatic qualification for the inaugural round of the prestigious ISSA Presidents Cup, scheduled for January.
For the eliminated teams—Cornwall College and McGrath High from Group A, alongside Christiana High and Clarendon College from Group B—their season continues in the consolation Ben Francis Cup, where they will enter at the quarterfinal stage this coming Tuesday.
Match Highlights: In Montego Bay, Cornwall College launched an aggressive assault against Glenmuir High, knowing a victory was essential for any hope of progression. Their efforts were rewarded in the 21st minute via a superb team goal finished by Shakeem Gibson. Glenmuir’s equalizer came 16 minutes later from Ricardo Binns, who capitalized on a precise cross from the right flank. Kemps Hill’s journey to the final four was sealed by a second-half strike from Shemar Daley, condemning McGrath High to a third consecutive loss without scoring a goal in the quarterfinal round.