Community Football Competition Earns Praises
(Ricardo Gaynor, captain of the victorious Young Money team, receives the Sandals Dunn’s River Trophy and medals as well as $50,000 cash prize from Ian Spencer, Sandals Regional Public Relations Manager during the prize-giving ceremony at St. Ann’s Bay on Sunday.)
Young Money captured the Sandals Dunn’s River- and Social Development Commission-sponsored St. Ann’s Bay eight–a–side Football Competition with a dramatic one-nil win over Corners at the Johnas Rhiner Park on Sunday, July 16.
Romario Gibbs scored the all-important goal in the second half of the Johnas Rhiner Community Association-organized event. His goal made Young Money champions and winners of the Sandals Dunn’s River Trophy and $50,000 first prize. Corners received $30,000 and a Sandals Dunn’s River Trophy as well.
Third place, a trophy and $15,000 cash prize went to Grass Piece who outlasted Unity Strikers in the dreaded penalty kicks.
The one-day football fiesta was watched by a fair–sized crowd from the surrounding communities. Each team played two matches in the preliminary rounds before embarking on a knockout semi-final segment.
Captain of champions Young Money, Ricardo Gaynor praised his players for a resilient performance throughout the day. “It was a tough competition because we had to play a lot of matches, but the guys were fantastic, stuck to the game plan and we proved that we were the best team on show.”
SDC Community Development Officer for St. Ann’s Bay and Runaway Bay, Antoinette Ledgister-Hall said was happy with the standard of play and discipline of the competition.
Sandals Dunn’s River General Manager, Deryk Meany, said his resort was delighted to have been a sponsor of the event. He stressed the resort’s commitment to play a pivotal role in the development of the various surrounding communities.
