A match that kicked off at 6pm on Sunday saw Hibernians take the lead after 20 minutes. Nine minutes later Carrick United were reduced to 10 players when Thomas Fitzgerald received a straight red card after fouling Michael Dunne.
That the champions turned it around despite those two early setbacks speaks volumes for their strength of character.
Brian Prendergast put Hibs in front with a cracking volley from 20 yards after the Carrick goalkeeper Adrian Walsh had parried an effort from JJ Hutchinson.
Following Thomas Fitzgerald’s dismissal, Carrick really got down to business and they equalised from the penalty spot through Alan Ryan a minute before the interval after Brian O’Connell’s handball.
What proved to be the winning goal arrived just four minutes into the second half. Alan Ryan sent over a corner kick from the right and central defender Anthony O’Donnell headed unmarked past goalkeeper Darragh Power.
Glen Keane brought a fine save from Power on 86 minutes and Wayne Fitzgerald rattled the Hibernians crossbar shortly afterwards.
Hibernians’ night got even worse one minute from full time when John Boland picked up a second yellow card. Carrick United will now meet St Saviours in what promises to be a cracking Premier Ardagh Cup final.
Carrick United: Adrian Walsh, James Walsh, Brian Barry, Anthony O’Donnell, John Walsh, Alan Ryan, Keith Walsh, Wayne Fitzgerald, Alan Coady, Ian Cleary.Thomas Fitzgerald.
Subs: Anthony Power for Cleary (74 mins) Glen Keane for Coady (74 mins).
Hibernians: Darragh Power, Matthew Barden, David O’Mahony, Brian O’Connell, John Boland, Michael Dunne, Michael Gaffney, Joey Phelan,  Brian Prendergast, David McGrath, JJ Hutchinson.
Subs: Michael Frisby for Prendergast (69 mins) Ian Barry for Barden (72 mins).
Referee: Andrew Mullally.