KINGSTON, Jamaica – Garvey Maceo High won their third ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup on Saturday, beating McGrath High in a penalty shootout after both teams were tied 1-1 after normal time.

The Clarendon side came from behind to earn an equalizer in the dying minutes of time added and deny McGrath their first title. They added to titles they had won in 2007 and also in 2021-22.

First-time finalists McGrath were seconds away from becoming the 14th school to win the competition, leading 1-0 in regulation when Omarian O’Brian produced a bit of magic to force the game into penalties.

Devone Davis gave McGrath High the lead in the 15th minute after taking advantage of poor defending by Garvey Maceo, and they appeared to be on their way to the title before O’Brian came up with a goal with what was the final kick of the game seven minutes into time added.

Despite being second best for most of the game, Garvey Maceo dug deep and threw everything at McGrath High and were rewarded when O’Brian wove his way past a crowd of defenders and fired a low shot into the left hand corner of the goal.

In the dreaded penalty shootout, Garvey Maceo prevailed 5-3 winners.

-Paul A Reid