Will ending 33-year wait ‘kickstart’ Carrick’s season?

33 years of frustration were lost right away when Aidan Steele’s penalty hit the back of the net.

In the County Antrim Shield final, Carrick Rangers won their first senior trophy since 1993 by defeating Cliftonville 4-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

Few would have predicted that Stephen Baxter’s team would have been the last team standing when the competition first started in September.

Carrick were incredibly outsiders at the beginning of the game in a time when Larne, Glentoran, Linfield, and Cliftonville had dominance over Northern Ireland’s football.

Particularly when you consider the league standing of the club, which sits in 11th place and is languishing in the relegation play-off spot.

Captain Luke McCullough told BBC Sport NI, “We previously stated that there are only four trophies available, and for Carrick Rangers to win one of them is unbelievable.”

“The fans have come out,” the club’s representative said. Everyone here and Carrick as a whole will have a special night out.

Carrick’s success was a long shot, too, and they chose to do it bravely.

The championship-winning team’s victory over Bangor, which was promoted from the Championship but impressive, gave them a leg up in the air.

Following that, Glentoran won on penalties and Larne, again in a shootout, won the Irish Premiership.

After winning 4-1 on Saturday in the league, Baxter’s men lost 10 minutes later thanks to Ryan Curran’s early goal.

However, Adam Lecky, who had helped Baxter achieve such great success during their trophy-filled spell at Crusaders, scored the decisive equalizer.

Aidan Steele was able to start the party off with a shootout between Curran and Liam McStravick when both of them both missed.

Former Glentoran and Crusaders defender Paul Leeman commented on BBC Sport NI, “There is no such thing as a bad medal and it’s a great night for them.”

They defeated Cliftonville, Larne, and Glentoran. It is deserved in every way.

After winning their first trophy in 33 years, Carrick must now refocus and consolidate their position in the top flight.

A run of results, regardless of whether they are automatic safety or not, could cause a team to climb up or fall. They are currently 11th place.

McCullough backed his team in avoiding danger and believes that Carrick are in a “false position” in the league.

“We’ve got some really good players here, and we’ve shown that in the final,” McCullough said.

We can’t possibly compete with the majority of league teams, and we should do so more frequently.

Although many people didn’t believe him after guiding Carrick to a trophy for more than four decades, Baxter was unwavering when he declared he would “loser everything for three points” on Saturday against Dungannon Swifts.

There was no doubt about the message that the job is not done this season, but the smile he gave probably probably had a big impact.

We must pay close attention to the “league scenario.” Our main focus is on that.

“We’ll enjoy this moment, but Dungannon’s at home brings us back to business.”

Around 100 of Carrick Rangers’ American investors flew in to watch the final in north Belfast in addition to the club’s and town’s success.

After American Michael Smith became the club’s majority shareholder earlier that year, international football supporters had the option to purchase the Taylors Avenue club through Fan Owned Club [FOC] in 2023.

This season, the club’s games had been broadcast across the globe, and many of the team’s games had crossed the Atlantic to compete in the final.

Baxter, who has overseen the Irish League for 21 years, added, “It gives them an opportunity to see what the local game is about.”

I believe they are staying to watch our Saturday game, which gives them a better understanding of what they are doing and why they are doing it.

Although I don’t believe there are significant amounts of money being invested, it offers an opportunity to increase fanbase and fanaticism in another region of the world.

In a typical situation, we don’t have the numbers. Normally we have 150-200, so let’s see 1000 every week. The place can only be lifted by it.

Baxter added that “football has become about money,” and that any additional funds could offset the rising costs associated with player recruitment.

The investors will have the chance to tour the facility and suggest improvements might be made, he continued.