DENBIGH High School coach Garfield Carney has criticised the decision to start Tuesday’s ISSA daCosta Cup quarter-final Group A game against Cornwall College despite thunderstorms and lightning in the area, after two of his players collapsed on the field following a nearby lightning strike.

Lashawn Barnaby and Omarion Wright collapsed seconds apart just after the 40-minute mark, with both players at different ends of the field. Denbigh Principal Annette Daley accomanied the players, who were transported to a medical facility by ambulance.

Both players were reported alert and responsive when the Jamaica Observer checked on them later in the evening. A member of the Denbigh staff also said they were still being examined and showed no signs of having been struck by lightning.

Medical doctors who were at the game examined both players shortly after they collapsed.

Carney, who remained in Montego Bay with members of the team to support their teammates, was unhappy with the decision to start the match.

“The referee should never have started the game so late and with the lightning still continuing through the game and a puddle of water in front of one of the goals,” he said.

He also questioned the decision to resume play after the lengthy delay caused by the weather conditions.

“I was disappointed that he decided to go on with the game even though it would end in darkness,” Carney said. “When we got there and saw the rain falling and the lightning, I told the boys not to leave the bus because of the terrible lightning and all the water on the field.”

The match, which followed a practice game between Jamaica’s Under-17 team preparing for the FIFA World Cup and Montego Bay United, started more than an hour late after a thunderstorm delayed proceedings.

Carney said his players were upset when they saw their teammates being taken away for medical attention.

“They were a bit emotional at the initial stage, but they are OK now,” he told the Observer.

Cornwall College were leading 1-0 when the game was stopped, with Demarco Finnikin scoring in the fifth minute.

In the other quarter-final Group A game, Munro College beat Kemps Hill High 1-0 at home, with Akel Vespry scoring in the second half.

Two more games are scheduled for today, with Glenmuir High hosting McGrath High in May Pen and Lacovia High taking on Ocho Rios High at the St Elizabeth Technical Sports Complex in Santa Cruz. Both games are scheduled to start at 3:00 pm.