Carrick Rangers retain Irish Premiership status with Annagh win

Yahoo

02-05-2025

Carrick Rangers have retained their Irish Premiership status with an 8-3 aggregate win over Annagh United.
Stephen Baxter's side led 5-2 from the first leg and a double from Paul Heatley and Danny Gibson's goal secured the tie at Taylors Avenue with a 3-1 win in the second leg.
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Heatley broke the deadlock after 15 minutes and he benefited from quick thinking by strike partner Gibson.
When Craig Taylor's long throw was hooked clear by Joe Crowe, Gibson immediately turned defence into attack and Carrick surged forward in numbers.
The striker spotted Heatley in space and slid the ball into his path, which allowed the winger to jink inside and unleash a left-footed strike, which took a heavy deflection off Nathan Kerr and looped cruelly over Joel Little.
Annagh hit back late in the first half through James Conive's moment of brilliance.
The midfielder's 25-yard free-kick flew into the top corner beyond Ross Glendinning's outstretched arm – a carbon copy of their first-leg goal and a rare moment of quality from the Championship runners-up.
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However, Carrick quickly restored their momentum just after the break when Gibson effectively ended the contest on 52 minutes. Heatley turned provider with a lofted delivery into the box, where Gibson controlled expertly on his chest and guided the ball into the far corner.
Heatley put the icing on the cake eight minutes before the end when Gibson crossed low into the six-yard box, and the former Crusaders forward applied the simplest of finishes.
Ciaran McGurgan's charges never lacked spirit, but across both legs, Carrick Rangers ultimately demonstrated their superior class to preserve their top-flight status.