Domestic football gets back to full flight
Published:Sunday | January 7, 2024 | 12:07 AMLivingston Scott Gleaner Writer
DOMESTIC FOOTBALL returned to normality in 2023 after more than a year of no activity and then another of truncated competitions.
Jamaica Premier League
The Jamaica Premier League (JPL), for the first time in three seasons, returned to its three-round preliminary format before the playoffs.
Mount Pleasant Football Academy after only five seasons in the league rose to the summit for their first national title with a 2-1 win over Cavalier on a Suelae McCalla brace in front of a jam-packed Sabina Park in May.
Also, in one of the closest golden-boot races in years, Cavalier's Colin Anderson’s 20 goals pipped Mount Pleasant's Trevante Stewart, 18, for the award.
Lynk Cup
In the inaugural Lynk Cup national knockout final, Cavalier were again the bridesmaids after they sank to Portmore United 2-0 in the final.
However, the Cavalier team lost on two fronts after their changing room was burgled and valuable items stolen, including money and phones. Competition sponsor Lynk compensated for some of the losses.
JFF Tier II
In January, Meadforest president Daglalish Henry indicated his club would be accepting the Jamaica Football Federation’s (JFF) offer to participate in the National Tier II playoffs despite possible repercussions from the Kingston and St Andrew Football Association (KSAFA).
The JFF had sent out letters to parish associations asking them to name representatives for the Tier II playoffs and competition.
However, KSAFA, voted to refrain from participation, a position it held from the competition's inception.
Nevertheless, Meadforest wrote to the JFF, to indicate their desire to play in the playoff. Then when automatic league qualifiers Real Mona refused their slot, Meadforest were elevated.
All other KSAFA clubs refused their invitation from the JFF, including Boys’ Town, who moved up to the playoff spot after Meadforest took the league spot.
For their decision, Meadforest were suspended indefinitely by KSAFA.
Meanwhile, Treasure Beach of St Elizabeth downed Lime Hall of St Ann 2-1 in the final to secure the parish's participation in top-flight football for the first time in more than 40 years.
It was the second time for Lime Hall, formerly known as Benfica.
In the closing rounds of the prelim stage, Albion Mountain FC were sanctioned for failing to show up for a match against Lime Hall.
The team was also fined $50,000.00 and excluded from the rest of the competition and their matches deemed invalid.
They were also disqualified from taking part in the next Tier II competition, with no possibility for an appeal.
KSAFA Leagues
In December KSAFA announced it was partnering with Wray & Nephew for the 2023-24 KSAFA Major and Championship Leagues.
Maverley Hughenden and Real Mona are the respective champions.
Also, for the first time since 2019, the parish held its under-13 and under-15 competitions over the summer.
Constant Spring beat Real Mona 4-0 for their first under-13 title and Cavalier turned back Harbour View 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, for the under-15 trophy.
Schoolboy football
Clarendon College, under the guidance of coach Lenworth Hyde, ruled the roost in schoolboy football, retaining both the daCosta Cup and Olivier Shield titles in style.
They beat Glenmuir 6-2 on a Kaheim Dixon hat trick for the daCosta Cup and scored a dominant 4-0 win over Mona for the Olivier Shield.
However, the Chapelton school was knocked off its perch in the Champions Cup, going down 4-2 to parish rivals Glenmuir in a scintillating match at the National Stadium.
ISSA's decision to hold the daCosta Cup final and, the all-rural, Champions Cup final at the National Stadium, both between Glenmuir and Clarendon College, received public backlash when initially announced but proved a success in the end.
Meanwhile, The Manning’s School secured the All-Island under-16 title after a 2-0 win over Jamaica College while Wolmer's Boys' School took the under-14 crown with a 4-1 win over St Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS).
Earlier, in the rural area under-16 final, Manning’s defeated Central High 2-1 while STETHS were 3-1 winners against Manning in the under-14 final.
In the Corporate Area under-16 final, Jamaica College stopped Wolmer's 2-1 and in the under-14 final, Wolmer's beat Excelsior 1-0.
Women's League
Frazsiers Whip, in its first season in the Jamaica Women’s Premier League, lifted the title after a 1-0 win over Cavalier in June.
The team, coached by Reggae Girlz coach, Xavier Gilbert, also took the double after beating the same opponents 2-1 in extra time for the knockout crown earlier in May.
Schoolgirl football
Gilbert also coached Excelsior High School to a seventh straight ISSA Tip Friendly Society schoolgirl title with an 8-0 win over first-time finalists Holmwood Technical in April.
Leading goalscorer and tournament MVP Shaneil Buckley led with a hat trick.
Garvey Maceo won third place with a 2-1 win over Manchester High.