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Insports primary school football set for exciting finale
December 12, 2025
The finals of the Insports primary school football competitions for both St Andrew and Kingston take place today at UWI Bowl, Mona, starting at 11:30 a.m.
The Kingston final involves Holy Family and Alpha, and starts at 11:30 a.m., while the St Andrew region brings together Waterhouse-based schools St Patrick's and Balmagie Primary at 12:50 p.m.
In an eventful and dramatic semi-final day on Wednesday, Balmagie Primary defeated Rousseau Primary 3-0 to book a date with St Patrick's, who defeated Mona Heights 2-0 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. While, in the Kingston semi-finals, Alpha stunned Iris Gelly 3-1, and Holy Family edged Harbour View 2-1.
CONFIDENT
Balmagie defeated St Patrick's in the group stage of the competition and Balmagie's coach Donald Eccleston says he expects a tough contest on Friday.
"When I saw Rousseau the other day, I said we can beat them easily. And we executed very well," he said.
"We played them (St Patrick's) in the group stage and we beat them. But now it's a final, and it's no walkover. So we are going to be prepared and do what we have to do," Eccleston stated.
However, St Patrick's coach, AnnJean Brumley, is confident they will overturn their preliminary-round loss.
"Being in the final for the first time, I am very excited and proud of my team and we will see what Friday brings," Brumley said.
"We have to give the players confidence, because sometimes players need confidence from their coaches and each other. So it was an important task to encourage each of the players. But I don't see a threat. Once I talk to my team, the players will come out and do what's best," she commented.
In the first semi-final, Balmagie got goals from Omali Melbourne (3rd minute), Israel Hewitt (30th) and Romair Williams (35th) to see off Rousseau.
MORE DRAMA
However, the other semi produced a lot more drama. Akeel Dickens put Mona ahead with a first-half strike. But Riquelme Francis' superb acrobatic kick tied the game for St Patrick's early in the second half.
However, the penalty shoot-out ended controversially after the referee permitted each team four penalties each, instead of the stipulated five kicks.
St Patrick's, after scoring two of their first three kicks, and Mona, who missed all three - thanks to two saves from goalkeeper Daisean Palmer - were declared winners.
However, Mona protested and after a lengthy delay and consultations, the shoot-out resumed.
Nevertheless, Mona Heights missed their fourth kick, giving St Patrick's the win.
In the first Kingston semi-final, Shaun Robinson gave Harbour View the lead after four minutes. But Hayden Benjamin tied the game four minutes later, and Neymar Walker secured the win in the 47th minute.
In the other semi, Alpha came from behind to eliminate Iris Gelly, who took the lead after six minute through Nigel Ellis.
However, two second-half goals from Jayden James and one from Jauquone Stephenson carried the underdogs to victory.
