KINGSTON, Jamaica — Kingston College secured their 17th ISSA/Digicel Manning Cup title after a dominant 3-1 win over debutant finalists St. Catherine High at the National Stadium on Friday evening.
This victory marked Kingston College’s third triumph in the last six editions of the prestigious competition, further solidifying their place as one of Jamaica’s premier football schools. Vassell Reynolds, the man at the helm, etched his name in history as the third coach to achieve both the Manning Cup and Rural Area daCosta Cup double. Previously, he won the daCosta Cup with Rusea’s High in 2011, joining the ranks of Frank Brown and Patrick ‘Jackie’ Walters in this remarkable achievement.
The game saw Kingston College take control from the outset, cruising to a 3-0 lead before St. Catherine High could respond. Jaeshawn Edwards opened the scoring in the 36th minute, sneaking in unmarked to head home a well-placed cross. Just before halftime, in the final minute of added time, Demario Dailey doubled the lead with a composed finish from a cross on the right, leaving St. Catherine High stunned.
The second half saw Kingston College extend their advantage to 3-0 with Deshawn Byfield’s strike in the 54th minute, but an own goal in the 62nd minute gave St. Catherine High a glimmer of hope. Despite their efforts, it wasn’t enough to mount a comeback, and Kingston College stood firm to claim yet another Manning Cup trophy.
For St. Catherine High’s Coach Anthony Patrick, this loss marked his fourth in the Manning Cup, and his third consecutive defeat in the competition, having suffered similar setbacks with Bridgeport High in previous seasons.
