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Munro refocus after heartbreaking early exit
September 29, 2025
After a heartbreaking, first-round exit for former ISSA daCosta Cup champions Munro College, new head coach Everdean Scarlett says the team will focus on rebuilding for the next season.
Munro came ever so close to continuing their hopes of advancing with their 3-0 win over Newell High, but Lacovia High rallied to draw 1-1 with B.B. Coke High on Saturday, a result which nailed the coffin shut for Munro.
Given the results, in Zone E, Munro finished the season fifth with eight points from two wins, two losses and two draws. Maggotty High and Lacovia tied on nine points, with Maggotty ahead on goal difference. B.B. Coke topped the zone standings with 14 points from four wins, and two draws against St Elizabeth Technical High School, who finished second on 12 points.
"We started the day knowing what we had to do, and that to advance we had to win. We did that, but it is disappointing we didn't get to advance to the next round.
"We just have to come back stronger," said Scarlett, who was tasked only three weeks ago with the mantle to take over the team.
The top four teams advance to a playoff, with each playing three games. Three of the four will advance to the round of 32.
The last time Munro failed to advance to the round of 32 was in 2018.
According to Scarlett, the season was a learning experience and he sees potential in the players.
"The players actually believe in my philosophy and the concept of how I want them to play. I think with time, if given, it should be something good going forward," added Scarlett.
At the beginning of the season, former head coach Kemar Ricketts and Munro agreed to part ways.
Munro have been having a tough time in the daCosta Cup in recent years and last season they extended a 17-year drought of not advancing to the quarter-finals of the daCosta Cup.
Adrian Tull, a faithful fan and old boy of Munro College, said it is devastating when your team exits so early.
"Honestly, one sport is not supposed to make you feel 'suh'," Tull expressed.
He attributed Munro's decline to a number of factors.
"The issue with the coach and the team parting ways definitely would have had an impact. Being coached by one and then such an early exit to be introduced to somebody new with a different style of play, tactics and technical skills to be taught is not going to be easy," Tull said.
"We only had a few guys returning, with some matriculating into university, while some earned scholarships. Outside of that, the boys weren't gelling and the team was far too relaxed and composed, without a level of energy," he opined.
The St Elizabeth-based school is the first to have won both the daCosta Cup, since its inception in 1950, and the Olivier Shield. They have won seven daCosta Cup titles and the most Olivier Shield titles (16) by a rural school.
The 169-year-old school, known as Potsdam School before it was renamed during World War, won their last daCosta Cup title in 1964 when they defeated Titchfield High 4-1 in the final.
The competition continues on Tuesday.
