Denbigh High determined despite lightning trauma

STILL shaken by the lightning strike incident that left two of their teammates hospitalised, Denbigh High’s players face the difficult task of returning to action today against Munro College in the ISSA daCosta Cup quarterfinals.

Denbigh coach Garfield Carney admits that his players are not mentally ready to return to the field following Tuesday’s frightening incident, but says they must honour the fixture.

“I wouldn’t say they are ready, but it’s a fixture that we have to honour, so we are gonna give it our best shot today,” said Carney.

Two Denbigh players, Omarion Wright and Lashawn Barnaby, were struck by lightning and collapsed during the 40th minute of their quarterfinal match against Cornwall College at Cornwall’s playing field.

The players were rushed to Cornwall Regional Hospital for medical attention but were later released.

The seven-time champions Munro will host Denbigh at Munro Playing Field in one of four quarterfinal clashes scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m.

Carney said one of the affected players would be available for today’s match, while the other would remain on the sidelines.

“One actually will be a part of the squad for tomorrow. The older one, Barnaby, will play, but the younger 16-year-old, Wright, he is not coping, so he won’t be a part of the squad,” said Carney.

Despite facing a formidable Munro team, Carney said Denbigh would be aiming to secure all three points and keep their campaign alive.

“In this fixture, we are still going to give our best shot, try to get three points, and try to stay in the competition as long as possible,” he added.

Rather than returning to regular training, the team participated in group counselling sessions to help players process the incident and prepare mentally for future matches.

Wright, meanwhile, recalled the frightening ordeal, saying it left an indelible mark on him. He admitted that he was shocked, confused and genuinely afraid for his life.

Despite the experience, the 16-year-old has no intention of giving up football. However, he said the incident has changed how he will approach playing in threatening weather conditions.

“I love football, as I have been playing since grade seven, but I have told myself that in the future, if I am playing and there is any sign of thunder or lightning, I will tell my coach that I want to come off the field because it was extremely scary,” he said.

The match against Cornwall, which was scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. on Tuesday, started almost an hour late because of inclement weather.

This season’s giant killers, the Clarendon-based Denbigh, are enjoying arguably one of the most impressive campaigns in the school’s football history. Given their limited history in the competition, today’s fixture marks only their second appearance in the quarterfinals.

However, while the players are recovering physically, concerns remain about their psychological readiness to return to competitive action.

Child and family therapist Dr Beverly Scott said physical recovery must be accompanied by psychological stabilisation before the players can safely resume their previous activities.

“Psychologically, they need to be prepared to go back. They need to express how they feel about the whole thing and how they feel about going back on the field. You can’t just put them back on the field like that. They have to get counselling, be examined for shock and trauma to see the extent of their trauma,” said Dr Scott.

Today’s games

Munro vs Denbigh at Munro

Kemps Hill vs Cornwall at Glenmuir

Lacovia vs McGrath at STETHS

Ocho Rios vs Glenmuir at Drax Hall