ST ANN, Jamaica – Football fans in St Ann are celebrating an unprecedented milestone as Ocho Rios High etched their name in the annals of ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup history. The team has become the first from the parish to secure a place in the competition’s semi-finals, setting up an electrifying clash against McGrath High on November 30 for a coveted spot in the finals.
The historic achievement came on Saturday when Ocho Rios High stunned former champions Garvey Maceo High with a commanding 2-0 victory at Drax Hall. Goals from Robert Morris and the in-form Keanu Reid in the 31st and 75th minutes, respectively, sealed the triumph. Reid’s remarkable run of form has seen him score in four consecutive games, earning him a hero’s status among supporters.
Ocho Rios High topped their quarterfinal Group B with five points, a testament to their resilience after two drawn games earlier in the round.
McGrath High’s Second Chance at Glory
McGrath High, no stranger to the semi-finals, earned their place in dramatic fashion. The 2019 semifinalists edged out STETHS on goal difference after a 4-0 thrashing of Frome Technical at Dinthill Technical. With both teams finishing on four points in Group A, McGrath’s superior goal difference of +1 nudged them ahead of STETHS, who ended at -1.
Glenmuir High, the Group A winners, advanced to the other semi-final, where they will face Garvey Maceo High in an all-Clarendon showdown on December 7.
Quarterfinal Highlights
Glenmuir High delivered an offensive masterclass, defeating STETHS 5-2 in a high-scoring encounter. Orane Watson extended his season tally to an impressive 31 goals with a brace, while Orel Miller, Conroy Nicely, and Ricardo Binns also found the back of the net. Despite late goals from STETHS’ Justin McPherson and Shemmar Stewart, Glenmuir’s dominance ensured their top spot in Group A.
In Group B, Munro College’s spirited 3-1 win over Central High wasn’t enough to secure a semi-final berth, as their -1 goal difference left them behind Garvey Maceo.
A Semifinal to Remember
As Ocho Rios High prepares to take on McGrath High, the stakes couldn’t be higher. For Ocho Rios, the dream of becoming the first St Ann school to reach the final is tantalizingly close. Meanwhile, McGrath is eager to capitalize on their second chance at a title run.
Football fans across the island will be glued to the action on November 30, as history beckons for one of these ambitious teams.
