Butler confident Manning Cup title can return to Mona

WITH THE ISSA/WATA Manning Cup set to restart this week, Craig Butler hailed his current crop of players as the best team he has coached, and is confident they can reclaim their hold on the Manning Cup trophy.

Butler led Mona to the school’s first-ever schoolboy title when they won the Manning Cup in 2023, toppling several traditional favourites along the way.

The school was unable to defend its Manning Cup title in 2024, but did not end the season trophy-less, claiming the Walker Cup.

Now with the round of 16 set to get under way, Butler is confident in his team’s chances and said this is the best Mona team he has coached since taking charge of the programme.

“This is the best Mona team that I’ve ever coached. We’ve had exemplary players in the past, and the model has been improving over the years. But this is the newest and most improved model, so I think that we have a very, very, very good chance of winning,” he told The Gleaner.

“It’s important to recognise that this is a team that’s been playing together, has travelled to Europe, has gotten opportunity and exposure and I believe that they will do their best.”

Much of his confidence comes from Mona’s perfect start to the season as they topped Zone E with 10 wins from as many games.

They scored 60 goals along the way and boast one of the best defensive records in the competition, only conceding five.

They are also the only team with a perfect record left in Manning Cup, and started the round of 16 with a 4-1 win over St Jago High before the competition was postponed.

UNBEATEN TEAM

“Mona has scored the most goals in Manning Cup thus far. We’re the only unbeaten team that has not dropped any points, every other team has,” the Mona head coach said.

Butler explained one of the reasons behind their strong performances has been the inclusion of young players in the squad over the years.

He said the programme will continue to challenge for titles as they have ensured the school has become a conveyor belt of talent each year by incorporating young players early.

“These players become accustomed to the team’s system from an early age, and as they mature, become better players and teammates.”

He said one shining example of this is the year’s captain Sean Leighton, who is in his fifth year of the Manning Cup.

“These boys have been playing together for a long time. We keep a good cycle going with younger players being blooded early,” he explained

“Sean Leighton, the captain, this is his fifth year of playing in the Manning Cup. He started playing as a first former, and he’s not the only one.”

Despite his confidence, Butler maintained the title is not won before the final and said his team must first progress through the rounds before they can start dreaming of glory.

He said his role is to ensure his players remain grounded and focused on each game ahead of them.

“The football is round and it’s who wants it most on the day. We just have to keep them hungry and wanting.”

gregory.bryce@gleanerjm.com