EIGHT Manning Cup games, in three groups, will be on today in the Corporate Area as the schoolboy football season kicks off in earnest, following Saturday's triple header at Jarrett Park to mark the start of the season.
Dunoon Technical, winners of the Manning Cup in 1998 will clash with St. George's College in what is expected to be the most interesting game of the day at the Cement Company playfield.
Both teams have done well in their pre-season build up to the season and both are seriously harbouring thoughts of going all the way.
There is confidence in the Dunoon camp that they can better their quarter-final position last year.
"If everything goes well, i think my team have a very good chance in the competition," said coach Stanford Patrick.
"We don't know much about St. George's but we are going to try and play some good football from now," added Patrick.
The east Kingston team should be a tough buunch with the likes of defenders Lamour Morgan and Richard Edwards along with forwards Greg Campbell and Lloyd Marshall returning and expected to lead the charge.
St. George's College, winners of the Manning Cup 17 times, are considered by pundits to be one of the teams who could surprise. They exited the competition in the second round last year, but coach Ainsworth Beckford believes his team will give a better showing this year.
"We have the players that can win and we are aiming to do just that," said Beckford.
Certainly, the North Street school have retained some decent players from last year's squad and although they were not impressive in their Roper Cup showdown with Kingston College recently, it could be a different scenario providing, Tahmani Henry, Kevin Lawrence, Kelvin Lawrence, Michael Sutherland and Jumaine Reid step up a gear.
Two other Group B games are on today, Calabar oppose Vauxhall at the Red Hills Road and Campion are at home to St. Anne's Comprehensive.
Group D sees 1996 champions Norman Mnaley Comprehensive hosting St. Catherine High at the Tinson Playfield and Clan Carthy at home to defending Walker Cup champions Jonathan Grant High.
Norman Manley which have retained the core of their team that advanced to the semi-finals of the competition last year should ease past St. Catherine and Jonathan Grant are favoured to beat Clan Carthy.
In Group F, St. Jago begin their campaign against Pembroke Hall, St. Andrew Technical travel uptown to face Mona and Denham Town host Donald Quarrie at Tinson Pen playfield.
St. Jago, another semi-finalist in last year's competition should have no problems with Pembroke Hall, who are one of the newest teams in the Manning Cup. St. Andrew Technical one of the reputed dark horses are expected to beat Mona and Donald Quarrie should get the better of Denham Town.
TODAY'S GAMES
(Home teams named first)
Campion vs St. Anne's
Dunoon vs St. George's at Cement Company
Calabar vs Vauxhall
Norman Manley vs St. Catherine at Tinson Pen
Clan Carthy vs Jonathan Grant
St. Jago vs Pembroke Hall at Prison Oval
Mona vs STATHS
Denham Town vs Donald Quarrie at Seprod
(All games kick off at 3.30)
