'It swings on two decisions': Stephen Baxter admits Carrick Rangers defeat 'will sting for day or two'

With Dungannon leading 1-0 after Leo Alves’ stunning free-kick, Carrick were dealt a further blow when goalkeeper Nathan Gartside was sent off for handling the ball outside his box.

However, Carrick bounced back to head into half-time level thanks to Luke McCullough’s equaliser before the Swifts struck twice through Caolan Marron and Kealan Dillon to set up a weekend semi-final showdown with Cliftonville.

"It's one of huge disappointment,” reflected Baxter on the club’s media channel. “The game swings on two referee decisions.

"We should have had a penalty in the first few minutes of the game and the sending off where the ball clearly hits Nathan on the chest...to get his marching orders, it puts you behind the eight ball.

"It's difficult enough playing against Dungannon away from home but to then play against 11 with our 10 for an hour is mighty difficult.

"We created some chances and did very well. We gave it everything that we had.

"The boys are hugely disappointed around all of it. You work all year long to fight your way into seventh, to get yourself into a game like this, and to have it taken away cruelly is difficult for all of them.

"They're beyond hurting...that will sting for a day or two.”

Twelve months ago, Carrick were contesting a play-off with very different consequences, progressing past Championship club Annagh United to preserve Premiership status in a promotion/relegation clash.

Compared to last term, Carrick collected 21 more points, eight more wins, scored 32 more goals and finished four positions higher this season.

Baxter’s men also secured Carrick’s third major senior trophy in club history, celebrating Senior Shield glory in January after beating Cliftonville in a penalty shoot-out at Seaview.

"I had a big conversation with the entire squad, the staff, our doctor and Cameron (Shaw, physio) who have probably been the hardest working people at the club this year, and thanked everybody for an incredible work ethic around their desire, focus, concentration, training methods,” he added. “What they had put into this football club, the sacrifices, has been amazing, and that thrills me more than anything.

"I hope the fans have enjoyed it because I have. It has been an amazing ride, the cherry on top will be the County Antrim Shield, a night which will live long in all of our memories. It catapulted the team into finding this seventh place. It was a brilliant effort.

"It always hurts when you lose a football match, but you have to bounce with it, you have to work with it.

"This time last year we were in a relegation play-off game fighting our lives.

"We survived that, we have grown beyond growing in a very quick year, and once the dust settles on all of this we will relax, enjoy a few weeks off and be back at it again in the middle of June."