Local News

DPL Star Delivers In The Digicel Caribbean Championships

Wednesday, December 10 – Kingston, Jamaica: With the Jamaican league currently on hiatus and all eyes focused on the Digicel Caribbean Championships, a tournament that has seen elite players with a shared Caribbean link journey from around the globe, back to the region to compete for one of its most coveted prizes, surprisingly it’s the Reggae Boyz’ home based talent that seems to be causing the biggest stir.

With high profile Reggae Boyz such as Luton Shelton and Stoke City’s Demar Phillips all participating in the bi-annual tournament, it may be surprising to some that several of the competition’s most outstanding performers happen to be home grown talents plying their trade in the Digicel Premier League and most notably Portmore United’s Eric Vernan.

Having scored his maiden goal in Jamaica’s 4-0 romp over Grenada at Jarrett Park in just his second cap for the Reggae Boyz, Vernan scored the lone goal for a satisfying 1-1 draw against Trinidad & Tobago at the Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium as his strike ensured that Trinidad & Tobago, one of Jamaica’s biggest rivals, would not join them in the DCC Semi-Finals.

The diminutive winger has made the most of his recent call-up by new National Head Coach John Barnes, who must have seen some hidden goal potential as Vernan has only managed to net twice this season in the Digicel Premier League, and given his display so far with the national selection he must fancy an extended run with the senior team.

Assistant National Coach Theodore Whitmore compares him to another Jamaican great – Ricardo Gardner, saying that: “Vernon works hard and he has a lot to contribute to the team. His future is limitless”

But with many in the current generation of potential Reggae Boyz often opting to ply their trade abroad, Vernon shows that the future of the region’s National Footballers is in the Local Premiere Leagues, where future international stars lace their boots.

DCC FINALS – FIXTURES

SEMI FINALS – National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica
Thursday, December 11
Match 13: 5PM – Cuba vs. Grenada
Match 14: 7PM – Jamaica vs. Guadeloupe

FINALS – National Stadium, Kingston, Jamaica
Sunday, December 14
3rd Place: 3:30PM – Loser of Match 13 vs. Loser of Match 14
Championship: 6PM – Winner of Match 13 vs. Winner of Match 14

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