Defending champions Kingston College (KC) is among 45 schools that will be vying for the prestigious Manning Cup when the new season kicks off in September.

The Inter-Secondary Schools Sports Association (ISSA) under new president Keith Wellington on June 19, met at their new home on Red Hills Road and no immediate changes were announced to the format of the Manning Cup to date.

The 2019 Manning Cup season will see one new team in Northern Technical High School, formerly St Andrew College, located in the Cross Road area of St Andrew, just opposite the famous Carib Theatre landmark.

There will be two schools making a return to the competition in Donald Quarrie High and Ascot High and both are placed in Group B alongside Charlie Smith, Denham Town High, Waterford High, and Kingston High.

There is no real group of death although a number of former champions are paired together, most of them are past their best and have not done anything significant over the last decade or so.

However, there are some weak unattractive groups which left a lot to be desired.

KC, which ended a 31-year drought when they lifted their 15th title, were drawn in Group G with former champions Excelsior High and Dunoon Technical. Also in the seven-team group are Pembroke Hall High, Kingston Technical, Jonathan Grant High, and Cedar Grove High.

Last season’s beaten finalists, St George’s College are in Group F and will face former champions Calabar High, Ardenne High, and Norman Manley High, along with 2006 Walker Cup champion Eltham High and Campion College.

Many-time champion Jamaica College (JC), who saw their five-year reign ended last year, will be back with a vengeance and are paired with former champions Wolmer’s Boys’ in Group E. The group also have Greater Portmore High, Tarrant High, Jose Marti High, Innswood High, and Vauxhall High.

Walker Cup champions Hydel High are drawn in Group D alongside former champions Camperdown High and Tivoli Gardens High, the emerging Mona High, St Mary’s College, Edith Dalton James High, and 1986 and 1989 Walker Cup champion Meadowbrook High.

St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) which has been to the last two semi-finals, heads a weak-looking Group C which consists of St Catherine High, Oberlin High, Papine High, Penwood High, and newcomers Northern Technical High.

Group A has Holy Trinity, St Jago High, Bridgeport High, Cumberland High, Haile Selassie High, and Clan Carthy High.

— Howard Walker