Former two-time winners Garvey Maceo High and McGrath High will meet in Saturday’s final to crown the 2024 ISSA DaCosta Cup champion after they recorded contrasting semifinal victories.
Garvey Maceo cemented their place after beating favourites Glenmuir High 5-4 on penalties, after both teams battled to a 0-0 stalemate at the National Stadium on Wednesday.
The decisive spot kick was converted by Wilton Williams after goalkeeper Garfield Tomlinson saved Orane Watson’s opening penalty for Glenmuir and also from captain Jason White who took the fourth kick.
The result sees Garvey Maceo dubbed ‘The Cubanz’ advancing to the final where they will be aiming to capture their first title since 2021 and third overall, having also previously won in 2007.
Meanwhile, McGrath High’s Cinderella run continued after they flogged fellow first-time semifinalists Ocho Rios High 6-1 to advance to the final.
Stealing the headlines was Shane Pusey who delivered a spectacular performance, scoring four times (22, 48, 54, 90+1) after Farel Tucker converted in the 10th minute to give them a 2-1 advantage.
Earlier the impressive Keanu Reid gave Ocho Rios High a dream start in the 6th minute but they were soon pegged back by an own goal a minute later by Joaquin Corothers.
The final is scheduled for a 6:15pm kick-off at the National Stadium on Saturday.
It will be preceded by the Ben Francis Cup KO title decider between Clarendon College and St. Elizabeth Technical which is slated to start at 3 ‘o’ clock.