FATES COLLIDE
KC hunt 17th Manning Cup crown but St Catherine High look to take first hold
A pulsating clash is expected when former champions Kingston College (KC) and St Catherine High meet in the final of the ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup competition at the National Stadium today at 6:15 pm
In the opening game of the double-header, dethroned Manning Cup champions Mona High will face Excelsior High in the final of the Walker Cup. This match is set to begin at 3:00 pm
KC, who last won the title in 2021, will enter as slight favourites. However, St Catherine, appearing in their first Manning Cup final, has been enjoying an outstanding season.
St Catherine is coached by Anthony Patrick, who won the Manning Cup with Bridgeport High in 2001 and 2006. KC is guided by Vassell Reynolds, whose team advanced to the final with a 2-0 semi-final victory over Hydel High.
Reynolds acknowledged the strength of the St Catherine team but expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to prevail in today’s final.
“We are very optimistic because we know it is going to be a very challenging one against a tough and mature team,” he said. “But we believe in our abilities and we are banking on the boys executing and possibly playing their best game of the season. Once we do that, I think the results will be in our favour at the end of the game.”
Reynolds also stressed the importance of focus and discipline for KC.
“We have to concentrate for the 90 minutes, stay disciplined, and pay keen attention to the key details of the plans we have put in place. Most importantly, we must execute in front of the goal,” he said.
St Catherine secured their spot in the final with a dramatic 5-3 penalty shoot-out victory over former champions Jamaica College, following a 1-1 draw in regulation time. Patrick, who led St Catherine to back-to-back Walker Cup titles in 2019 and 2021, said his players are determined to claim their first Manning Cup title.
“I am very, very happy to be in this final and I am feeling very confident that we can go out there and win against KC,” Patrick said. “However, it is not going to be easy because KC is a good team, but we are taking a positive mindset into this game.
“This is a big final, and we want to ensure that we take the Manning Cup trophy back to the parish of St Catherine. The last time this trophy came to St Catherine was in 2006 when I won it with Bridgeport, so it is full time it returns to St Catherine.”
