Emmanuel Christian Academy capture Junior Cup

Emmanuel Christian Academy captured the first-ever Junior Cup football competition yesterday, by defeating Corinaldi Primary 2-0 at Constant Spring.

The win enabled Emmanuel to pocket $150,000,with Corinalidi receiving $75,000 for finishing second, and Rousseau Primary $25,000 for third place after they defeated Bethel Primary 4-3 on penalties in the play-off.

It was the culmination of three different stages of the Junior Cup with the first being held in Kingston and the second in Montego Bay. Emmanuel Christian Academy won the Kingston leg and Corinaldi Primary, the Montego Bay section for rural teams.

According to Paula Pinnock, managing director of Free Your Image (FYI) Consultancy Group, organisers of the Junior Cup, the event was a success with several schools being encouraged by the first staging.

“We have schools already telling us that they are onboard for next year, now that they know that we are coming and they know they need to get the kids prepared and ready for this tournament. There is so much more to come for youth football,” Pinnock said.

Coach of Emmanuel, Gregory Jones, was elated with their success but emphasised that the players’ commitment enabled their victory.

HARD WORK

“It feels good. It’s hard work. These boys have been training since September. We are in the Prep Schools League and we are in this. So, it’s a whole heap of football we have been playing and it feels good to win the first Junior Cup and we have a very young team, so we will be back to defend it next year.

“These boys have been playing from under-six, so we have a programme at the school that continues to produce good-quality players. So technically they are a good bunch of players,” Jones said.

Coach of Corinaldi Primary, Ricardo Esmie, was not a happy camper, but accepted the result.

“It’s not a nice feeling (to lose), but we have to accept. The game comes with win, lose and draw. So, whatever the situation may be, we have to accept,” said Esmie.