DEFENDING champions Mona High School will begin their quest for a second-consecutive ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup title when they face Waterford in their opening match in Group B at Montego Bay Sports Complex at 2 pm.

Mona, coached by Craig Butler, won the title for the first time in the school’s history last season, defeating Hydel 1-0 in the final at the National Stadium.

They have retained the majority of their squad from last season, losing only four starters from the 2023 team. Key players including Robinho Gordon, Denzil McKenzie, Dante Peralto, Carlton Brown, Marlon Cunningham, Javier Dunn, and Kishane Gordon have returned. Mona’s headmaster, Keven Jones, expressed confidence in the team’s readiness to defend their title this season.

“I am very confident that we will field a very good team that will meet the expectations of the coaching staff, board of management, and those who are looking forward to seeing a quality Mona team,” he said. “I have watched them in training and I know that we have some very dedicated and capable young men. They are talented, and I think they have the zeal and thirst to excel.”

Jones says Mona is aware of what is at stake this season and have worked hard to ensure they are in excellent shape to defend their title.

“I think the bar has been set by last year’s team because we were Manning Cup champions,” he said. “This team not only wants to emulate them but go beyond last year’s achievement.”

Jones said retaining the title will not be easy but the team is focused and determined to bring the trophy back to Mona.

“Mentally and physically, they are ready,” he said. “I saw them before they left for Montego Bay and they are feeling very good about themselves; they are also very confident.”

The other teams in Group B are Charlie Smith, Gaynstead, Jonathan Grant, and Tarrant.

Hydel is another team to watch this season. Their Head Coach Devon Anderson says they have retained only four players from last season’s team but he still expects a strong showing.

“We are here to compete, regardless of the inexperienced players on our roster,” he said. “We will take it one game at a time. Our first objective is to get out of the group, and then we will take it from there.”

Hydel is drawn in Group A, alongside Eltham, Ardenne, Clan Carthy, and Dunoon.

The Kingston College (KC) squad is another favourite who made it to the semi-finals of last year’s competition. Head Coach Vassell Reynolds is optimistic about his team’s chances this year.

“Our overall objective is to go one better but our first goal is to make it out of the first round, and then we will take it from there,” he said.

KC will compete in Group C with Cumberland, Campion College, Jose Marti, Penwood, and Meadowbrook.

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

“They want to win the Manning Cup, the Champions Cup and, of course, the Olivier Shield. I believe we have the young men who can get the job done, and we are giving them the necessary support that the coaching staff needs.”

— Mona High Headmaster Keven Jones

Mona High Headmaster Keven Jones

“We have a lot of young players that we are introducing to the Manning Cup, and they don’t have anything to fear.”

— Hydel Head Coach Devon Anderson

Hydel Head Coach Devon Anderson

“The confidence is high — based on last year’s performance — and we have retained 75 per cent of that core from last year.”

— Kingston College Head Coach Vassell Reynolds

Kingston College Head Coach Vassell Reynolds