McNicholl stars as Carrick reach first League Cup final

Tiernan McNicholl celebrates scoring Carrick's winning goal. Credit: Pacemaker

  • Glenavon 0 - 1 Carrick Rangers

Carrick Rangers have reached the final of the League Cup for the first time in their history with a 1-0 win over Glenavon at Mourneview Park on Tuesday night.

Hero of the semi-final victory was Tiernan McNicholl who scored the all-important goal on 80 minutes to see the underdogs through.

Glenavon had the advantage of a strong wind in the first half, but failed to take control of the tie with their best chance falling to Eoin Bradley - but Carrick keeper Brian Neeson made a superb one-handed save.

The home side finished the half strongly with Kevin Braniff teeing up Joel Cooper, who drilled a low shot just wide of the target.

Carrick Rangers in action against Glenavon. Credit: Pacemaker

The Lurgan Blues were direct in their approach after the restart and almost took the lead when Andy Hall centred for Mark Sykes.

He could not make a clean contact though and Neeson was on hand to smother the ball.

It was not all one-way traffic with Carrick denied a goal as Andy McGrory cleared a Paddy McNally header off the line.

Then Neeson came to the rescue for Carrick with another superb save as he tipped over a James Singleton goal-bound header.

With just 10 minutes left, Carrick stunned the home fans when McNicholl found space in the Glenavon defence and he fired past James Taylor to make it 1-0.

That was enough to see the Amber Army cause an upset and reach the final on 18 February.