The ISSA Walker Cup quarterfinals concluded on Monday with thrilling matches that set the stage for an electrifying semifinal round. Defending champions Mona High secured their progression despite extraordinary adversity, playing the majority of their match against Hydel High with only ten men after Devrahj Singh received a first-half red card for dangerous play.
Mona’s victory (3-2) was characterized by resilience and strategic execution. Joenaldo Payne initiated the scoring in the fourth minute with a precise header from a corner kick. Despite being reduced to ten players, Mona demonstrated remarkable composure. Substitute Franklyn Mitchum reclaimed the lead in the 71st minute, followed swiftly by Sean Leighton’s clinical finish in the 74th minute, establishing a 3-1 advantage. Hydel mounted a late surge with Ackeem Ewan’s 77th-minute goal, creating tense final moments, but Mona’s defense held firm to secure advancement.
In parallel action, nine-time champions Kingston College (KC) edged past fierce rivals Calabar High 2-1 in a match filled with historical significance. This victory carried added meaning as it provided a measure of redemption following Calabar’s elimination of KC from the Manning Cup competition. Defender Rohan Brown headed KC into an early lead in the eighth minute, though Calabar’s Payton Larmond equalized just six minutes later. The decisive moment came in the 16th minute when Shareef Ricketts secured the winning goal, maintaining KC’s pursuit of a record-extending tenth Walker Cup title.
Other quarterfinal results saw St Catherine High deliver an offensive masterclass in their 5-2 victory over Vauxhall High, while Charlie Smith High demonstrated overwhelming dominance with a 6-1 triumph against Tivoli High.
The semifinal pairings are now confirmed: Mona High will face Charlie Smith High on Wednesday at 2:00 PM, followed by Kingston College versus St Catherine High at 4:15 PM. Both matches will be hosted at Jamaica College’s Ashenheim Stadium, promising high-stakes football as these teams compete for a place in the prestigious Walker Cup final.