It is often said that it’s never over until it’s over, and Garvey Maceo High epitomized that saying when they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat with a 5-3 win on penalties against first-time finalist McGrath High in a pulsating ISSA/Wata daCosta Cup final at the National Stadium on Saturday.
The Linstead-based McGrath High seemed destined for glory after Devone Davis struck in the 15th minute, but Omarion O’Brian shattered their dreams with a last-gasp equalizer in the 90+7 minute to send the game into the dreaded penalty shootout.
Much like they did in the semi-final against Glenmuir High, the Clarendon-based Garvey Maceo held their nerves best from the 12-yard spot to secure their third title, adding to their triumphs in 2007 and 2021.
Acting Head coach Lester Hibbert was overwhelmed with pride, having stepped in seamlessly for Merron Gordon, who took a sabbatical this season.
“We just had to believe. We never gave up, even when the odds were stacked against us, because a true believer is a real believer. We did it. Being past students of the institution is what drove us and gave us the passion to keep going. Even when it seemed as if the time was going to run out on us, we fought, and this one is for those who never stopped believing in us,” a beaming Hibbert said in a post-game interview.
Both teams began the contest with attacking intent, and McGrath drew first blood when Davis dispossessed defender Malik Robinson and unleashed a fierce left-footer that whistled past Garvey Maceo’s goalkeeper Garfield Tomlinson for his 12th goal of the season.
Garvey Maceo pressed for an equalizer and created half-chances but failed to capitalize.
McGrath, eager to extend their lead, also missed crucial opportunities, as they remained 1-0 up at the break.
The second half offered little in terms of clear chances. However, McGrath’s Dontae Anderson nearly doubled their lead in the 53rd minute, but Devany McIntosh cleared his header off the line after Tomlinson spilled a corner from Shane Pusey.
Minutes later, Jim Mitchell had an opportunity to seal the game for McGrath but fired into the side netting in the 77th minute.
With time ticking away, Garvey Maceo launched a desperate push, and it paid off in the dying moments of added time when O’Brian twisted and turned before finding space for a low right-footed shot from outside the 18-yard box that sailed past Orlando Griffiths, sparking wild celebrations.
In the shootout, Garvey Maceo again showed nerves of steel, converting all five of their attempts through Devany McIntosh, Tyreek McKenley, Delano Thompson, Malik Robinson, and Rajay McLaughlin.
Meanwhile, Jim Mitchell, David Hutchinson, and Marcelo Gordon found the net for McGrath, but Isaac Mason’s effort was denied by Tomlinson.
McGrath’s Head coach, Jermaine Thomas, who guided the school to its historic Ben Francis Cup win last year, must wait a little longer for a first daCosta Cup crown but was still gracious in defeat.
“Once Devone was out, it was always going to be difficult for us, but nevertheless, they fought and fought gallantly. We turned up and we showed Jamaica that this is the school from Linstead and we can compete, but a lapse in concentration at the back cost us in added time, but still they played their hearts out, and I am extremely proud of them,” Thomas noted.