Stephen Baxter delight as Carrick Rangers reach first Co Antrim Shield final in 33 years

​Carrick led 1-0 through an Adam Leckey goal until Ryan Nolan netted an equaliser to send the game into extra time.

However, the outcome was decided in a dramatic penalty shootout, when Jimmy Callacher proved the hero for Carrick, stepping up to convert after Larne’s Cormac Austin struck the post in sudden death.

Carrick will now face the winner of the second semi-final between Ballymena United and Cliftonville, which takes place on Tuesday, November 25.

Delighted Carrick manager Baxter said: “We've created three, four, five big chances, and we've really tested them all night long on the counter-attack, and done really, really well – passed the ball, great whenever we got the hold of it.

“Adam Lecky, what a performance, my word, man of the match; he hasn't played for a few weeks. That's his first 90 minutes, I think, in two months.

"And his quality of how he sees the ball, brings others into the game, is unrivalled in our league. He's just magnificent.

“And it's showed here tonight, with the quality that we had around him. So I'm pleased with the boy's work.

“I kept saying, just keep your head, keep playing, keep working hard, stick together, and your rewards will come, and I think we were worthy winners here tonight.”

Reflecting on a nail-biting penalty shootout, Baxter paid tribute to skipper Callacher.

“You really couldn't write the script. They had a couple of chances to win it and missed both, and we step up in a manner which is pressurised,” he said.

“Your captain, Jimmy Callagher – centre half – you don't expect your centre half to step up and say, ‘I’ll hit the last penalty, the most important penalty’, and he does, and does it with some aplomb to score the winning goal that takes us through. So, it was just a great night all around.

“I'm very pleased for everyone, because it's been a long time since Carrick competed in a final of any competition.”