Garvey Maceo vs Kingston College - Olivier Shield play-off in spotlight at STETHS tomorrow

DACOSTA CUP champions Garvey Maceo High and Manning Cup winners Kingston College (KC) are set for what should be a thrilling clash in tomorrow's ISSA/WATA Olivier Shield play-off at St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS). Kick-off time is 3 p.m.

The Olivier Shield was once the symbol of all-island supremacy in schoolboy football but has been overtaken in recent years by the Champions Cup. It, however, remains a very coveted trophy and an important clash between the champions of rural schoolboy football and the urban winners.

Garvey Maceo captured their second daCosta Cup title when they clipped first-time finalists McGrath High 5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. KC won their 17th Manning Cup title when they had a commanding 3-1 win over first-time finalists St Catherine High.

Garvey are chasing their first Olivier Shield title and are seeking sweet revenge against KC the school which denied them the trophy in 2021. In that play-off, KC silenced Garvey with a 2-0 win. Lester Hibbert, first-year head coach of Garvey Maceo, said winning tomorrow will be massive for the school.

"This will be history for us. The matchup against KC will be excellent. They are in their 100th anniversary, so in essence, they want to win at all cost. We are drilling the boys to stay together and maintain a level of discipline and focus. It is the team that is organised and motivated that will be victorious. We know it is a good KC team but if we stick together and play good football, we can be victorious."

Continuing, he added "We expect a win. This one will be for the history. It will put the school on the map as the best schoolboy football team in the country."

KC are aiming for their 10th Olivier Shield title and Vassell Reynolds, coach of KC, said the aim is to have each player bring their 'A' game and win another title to end of the season.

"We are used to the competitive nature of our opponents. Once it's Kingston College, our opponents always bring their 'A' game. We are mindful of the fact that the Garvey Maceo, which is a very good team, are going to come with all guns blazing. We expect it and we are as prepared as we can for it," Reynolds said.

He added, "I really want the boys to cap off the season the best way possible. The best way is to win the Olivier Shield. I still feel the boys have a lot in them. What you saw in the Manning Cup final is almost close to what they have to give."

For today's season finale, the "Cubans", as Garvey Maceo are affectionately called because their institution was built as a gift to the country by Jamaica's Caribbean neighbours, will look to the heroics of Omarion O'Brian, Everald Swaby on (11 goals) and Malik Robinson with six.

KC will need the likes of Damaine ''Messi' Smith and Jaeshawn Edwards, the 15-year-old defender, to make the win for their 100th anniversary ever sweeter.