Caley Thistle - William Hill Scottish Cup winners
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CALEY Thistle dug deep to see off Falkirk 2-1 at Hampden today (Saturday) to win in their first-ever Scottish Cup final.
The parties throughout the Highlands will be in full swing after this, the biggest result in the club's history.
Marley Watkins shot ICT in front in a tense first half but, after Carl Tremarco was sent off for a last-man challenge, Peter Grant headed Falkirk level.
Sub James Vincent was the hero though as his late winner sparked the celebrations.
It was the match the Highland capital has been waiting on since that spectacular 3-2 extra-time triumph over Celtic.
Ross County, of course, have had their day in the sun, five years ago when Peter Houston, now Falkirk boss, guided Dundee United to Scottish Cup glory.
Last year, ICT were beaten in their first major national final when Aberdeen denied them the silverware on penalties, so this squad, captained by Graeme Shinnie, were determined to try make even more history.
The season just completed has already been remarkable for Caley Thistle, having finished third in the Scottish Premiership and are now gearing up for Europa League competition in July.
The headline news for Caley Thistle is that semi-final match-winner David Raven missed out through injury.
This was a real blow to the full-back, but Carl Tremarco stepped into the side, while Aaron Doran came into the side in place of Danny Williams, who was benched.
Overall though, this was much more in line though with ICT's starting 11 after last week's wholesale changes in the 5-0 defeat at champions Celtic.
The Bairns had been out of competitive action for almost a month and made three changes from the side which lost 3-0 against Hibs in their last Scottish Championship game of a season in which they finished mid-table.
Liam Dick, Mark Kerr and John Baird were out, with David Smith, Luke Leahy and Rory Loy coming in.
Both sets of supporters were in fine voice and it was a colourful display inside the National Stadium.
The sun-kissed action was kicked off by Inverness CT and Shinnie went to right-back with Doran taking up a wide left position.
The first 10 minutes were lively enough with the players getting a feel for the action and enjoying playing on the immaculate pitch.
In the first chance of note, Shinnie whipped a low cross in from the right but the ball had too much pace for Marley Watkins and Tremarco in the box.
The first shot on target arrived on 20 minutes when poor defending saw the ball played to Falkirk's Will Vaulks and his low drive was gathered by keeper Ryan Esson.
Falkirk fans were on their feet, believing Vaulks had shot them ahead with a spectacular shot but it had flashed into the side netting to keep the scores blank.
At the other end, Doran drew a save from goalkeeper Jamie MacDonald after Edward Ofere headed the ball into his path.
Danny Devine, who agreed a new one-year deal on the morning of the final, superbly cut into the Falkirk box on 33 minutes but fired a shot over the crossbar from 12 yards.
With seven minutes to go until the break, Caley Thistle got their noses in front thanks to a swift break through the middle.
Shinnie fed the ball to Doran and his clever short pass was picked up by Watkins and he cut inside the penalty area, kept his cool, rounded MacDonald and stroked the ball into the empty net.
That sparked great celebrations in the stands from those wearing the ICT colours. The dream was on but with still plenty of football to be played.
They almost made it 2-0 on the stroke of half-time when Watkins broke through and only a great sliding challenge from Peter Grant prevented him getting a shot away.
Falkirk had to up the tempo in the second half and Vaulks went close six minutes after the restart with a fine 20-yarder around the right post.
It was noticeable that the Bairns were battling for every 50-50, making it known they were still in this final.
Vaulks looked like the main man for Falkirk and his deflected shot flashed wide for a corner, which was mopped up by ICT.
Kieran Duffie then went on a surging charge down the right side of the pitch and his cross found Blair Alston but he lashed his effort over the crossbar.
Substitute Botti Biabi injected more energy into the Falkirk team when he replaced David Smith on 63 minutes and his delivery was cut out in the nick of time by ICT defender Josh Meekings.
In the next move, the ball broke kindly for Vaults and he scooped his lofted effort over the crossbar.
With 15 minutes to go, ICT were reduced to 10 men when, following a poor touch, Tremarco was robbed by Alston and he brought the Falkirk midfielder down as he raced through.
Referee Willie Collum gave him a straight red card and that lifted the Falkirk fans.
And they were lifted even more on 80 minutes when Alston whipped in a dangerous free-kick and Peter Grant powered his header past Esson into the net.
What a test of character now for the top-flight Highlanders.
Falkirk's tails were up and they were pinning ICT back as the clock ran down rapidly.
However, with just five minutes left, Watkins darted through the middle and his deft shot was saved by MacDonald but sub James Vincent was on hand to score.
The dream was back on for the Inverness team.
Falkirk knew time was against them and, again, they threw everything at John Hughes' side.
Luke Leahy drilled a late free-kick over the top just before five minutes of stoppage time were added.
Watkins, who was outstanding, went off with a heavy knock and was replaced by Nick Ross.
Falkirk pressed until the end but ICT held on for an unforgettable victory.
Falkirk: MacDonald, Duffie, McCracken, Vaulks, Taiwo, Alston, Smith (Biabi 63), Sibbald, Grant, Leahy, Loy (Morgan 90). Subs not used: Bowman (GK), Muirhead, Cooper, Dick, Blair.
Inverness CT: Esson, Shinnie, Meekings, Ofere, Draper, Doran (Williams 78), Devine, Watkins (Ross 90), Tansey, Tremarco, Christie (Vincent 72). Subs not used: Mackay (GK), Polworth, Horner, Kink.
Referee: Willie Collum.
