Adrian Frater, News Editor

Members of the victorious Glenmuir High School team celebrate after winning the daCosta Cup at Jarrett Park last season. They defeated Frome 3-2 on penalties after they had battled to a 1-1 regulation and extra-time score. - Adrian Frater photo

WESTERN BUREAU

WHEN THE 2007 daCosta Cup football competition kicks off at Jarrett Park in Montego Bay today, all eyes should be on champions Glenmuir High School, whose title is being sought by the other 77 teams.

In addition to Glenmuir's crown - the daCosta Cup - the whopping $175,000, which forms part of the winning package for the team that will ultimately become rural Jamaica's best, should be an additional source of motivation.

"As champions, all the other teams will be coming to get us, but we are prepared for them," said Glenmuir's coach, Jackie Walters. "Our aim is to do as well as we did last year and that would mean being champions again."

While Glenmuir, who have retained the bulk of last year's championship team, should be a potent force again this year they will be hard-pressed to repeat with schools such as the impressive western Jamaica trio of former champions Rusea's, Cornwall College and Godfrey Stewart High School on the prowl.

CLOSE ACTION

From a zone by zone perspective, the action should be close and exciting as most teams seek a place in the inter-zone round, which will offer a place to the top two teams, as a realistic objective.

In Zone A, which features Cornwall College, former champions Herbert Morrison, William Knibb, Anchovy High, St. James High and Irwin High, the customary battle royal is anticipated as the perennial history of close finishes is again anticipated.

Based on their current form, Rusea's should dominate Zone B with their strongest challenges coming from Frome Technical and Green Island. However in Zone C, it should be an all-out battle with Godfrey Stewart, Petersfield, Grange Hill and Manning's - all quality contenders.

While recent history would suggest that Zone D and Zone E, which have good quality in Munro College, St. Elizabeth Technical and Black River, tend to struggle after the inter-zone phase, this year could be different, especially if Munro live up to expectations.

ZONE ONE HONOURS

While it would probably be unwise to slight all the schools, the teams in zones F, G and H, which include former champions Vere Technical and Clarendon College, have not been sparkling in recent times and are not expected to be on par with champions Glenmuir, Garvey Maceo and Old Harbour, who will be battling for Zone One honours.

Zones J, K and L have not figured prominently in recent years despite having teams such as former champions Dinthill and Titchfield, who have come close in recent years. Unless, the teams outdo themselves, they are unlikely to emerge serious contenders.