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Over the past six years, the St Catherine-based McGrath High School has been a force to reckon with in rural schoolboy football. The Jermaine Thomas-coached team was a daCosta Cup semi-finalist in 2019 - eventually finishing third; Ben Francis Knockout champions in 2023; and daCosta Cup finalists just last year.

It was a heartbreaking loss for Thomas in last year's final, as his team was just seconds away from capturing their first daCosta Cup title.

After taking an early 1-0 lead, they gave up a goal to Garvey Maceo in the dying moments. The match ended 1-1 and went into extra time, where neither team managed to break the deadlock. It came down to penalty kicks, with the 'Cubanz' (Garvey Maceo) prevailing 5-3 to claim their third title.

Thomas, who has been at the helm since 2017, is taking a cautious approach to this season's campaign.

"For us, it is just to take the games round by round and see what happens after the first round - then we'll know what to build on going forward," he said.

"I have always taken a measured approach, as it's all about the relaxation and focus of my players," he continued.

"My players are not pressured about winning as their best is good enough and at the end of the competition if they do not win and they give of their best I am comfortable with that".

According to the coach, he has lost about 12 members from last year's squad, but he doesn't see it as a major issue.

"Losing some 12 players won't hurt us, as over the years we have had some very young players who are always prepared to step up when senior players leave," he shared.

He has the services of three experienced players returning, and he's confident they will perform well once again.

"I expect three of my top players from last year - Jim Mitchell, Dontae Anderson, and Isaac Mason - who are key role players, to lead by example. With their experience, the younger players will learn from them," said Thomas, who is also the head coach of Molynes United in the Jamaica Premier League and a lecturer at The Mico University College.

McGrath will compete in Group J, which includes the likes of Old Harbour High, Dinthill Technical, Charlemont, and Tacius Golding High - a group Thomas believes is very competitive.

"The group is not an easy one. Old Harbour have now been placed here, while teams like Charlemont, who have won the Ben Francis Cup before, and former daCosta Cup winners Dinthill - who I think have been one of the most consistent teams over the years in the competition - should all make this an exciting affair," concluded Thomas.

sports@gleanerjm.com