Clarendon dominance as d’Cup semi-finals take centre stage
MAY PEN, Clarendon — Clarendon College will go into Saturday’s semi-finals of the ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup semi-finals as odds-on favourites against Garvey Maceo High in a parish derby at Glenmuir High in May Pen, starting at 3:00 pm.
At Manchester High in Mandeville two-time champions Dinthill Technical, the only school outside of Clarendon College in the semi-finals, will take on Glenmuir High. The winners of both games will meet in the final, set for National Stadium next week.
Clarendon College are the only semi-finalists from last season who are still in contention, and will play in their third-straight semi-finals after also making it to the final four in 2019 and 2021.
Dinthill Technical and Garvey Maceo are back for the first time since 2021 while Glenmuir High are back for the first time since 2014.
The Lenworth Hyde-coached Clarendon College are the only unbeaten team in the competition and will take with them their 36-game unbeaten record, dating from last season, but face a Garvey Maceo High team that will be hoping to upset the form sheet.
Glenmuir High beat a strong Mona High team in the ISSA Champions Cup on Tuesday and will face a Dinthill Technical team that led Kingston College before losing 3-2.
Clarendon College, for their part, were in imperious form by getting the better of St George’s College and come into the semi-finals of the rural competition with an almost airtight defence with just four goals against them in 16 matches.
Their 1-1 draw against Cornwall College in a round of 16 game was their only blemish and as they showed against St George’s College on Tuesday, they are getting better as the season continues.
Keheim Dixon and Christopher Hull lead a core of Clarendon College players who have been playing in the competition for three seasons and a lot will be riding on their shoulders.
Garvey Maceo were beaten by Hydel High in their Champions Cup game on Tuesday but Cleo Clarke, who was a vital part of the team that won in 2021, will want to win a second title and the school’s third.
While not as efficient as Clarendon College, Garvey Maceo have shown a stout defensive record with only eight against from their 16 games.
Dinthill Technical will hope to put Tuesday’s dismal showing behind them as after taking an early lead over Kingston College they conceded three goals and were unable to get back into the game until late in the second half, but still lost.
Today they will face a Glenmuir High team growing in confidence and one which, if given an advantage, will grab it with both hands.
Glenmuir High broke a long trophy drought last season when they won the Ben Francis Cup, and no doubt they will back themselves to go all the way this season.
Dinthill Technical will feel they are back where they belong with a good recent record but are yet to add to their two titles, the last one coming in 1981.
Tyrese Gowe and Giovanni Afflick are the danger men for Dinthill Technical but they have shown vulnerabilities, losing back-to-back games coming into this assignment after they were also beaten by BB Coke High in their final daCosta Cup quarter-final game.
They will welcome back Tamiesh Richardson who was sent off against BB Coke High and who missed the Champions Cup game earlier this week.
Glenmuir High had also lost their most recent daCosta Cup game against Clarendon College, after both had already qualified for this round, but they will understand what is required today.
Orane Watson has been dependable in front of goal for Glenmuir High while Tajaun Cummings and Kyle Gordon will be expected to lead the attack as they seek to get to the final.