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My wife and I were up in Inverness over the weekend, but because she hasn't been very well recently we opted not to go to the match , so watched from our hotel room instead. We missed the first 20mins though, which appears to have been Dumbarton's brightest spell, because other than the occasional foray forward and the scare of a mistake or our defence switching off, I didn't feel we were under much threat....according to the BBC they only had 4 shots and only one on target. They sat back very deep, and made it very difficult for us, effectively neutering any threat from Mulraney (who had no space to play with) and to a lesser extent Bell. Oakley had an OK game, but funnily enough I felt Baird might have done a better job (I'm sure I am in the minority there!) It was a pretty scrappy game and many passes went astray, but in my view we were much the better side, I know from watching my other team, that playing a side that defends that deep, will effectively bring you down to their level!. I thought we were patient and tried to build from the back, Polworth and Vigurs trying to prompt along with Donaldson, Tremarco and to a lesser extent Seedorf. One thing that did impress me was the number of forward slide rule passes that were attempted and many completed. Now you might pooh-pooh that observation, but I often complain about how poor the passing of my other team is (sorry to mention them again) ...so that was something I noticed. We got progressively better in the second half (as did Seedorf!) and it was great work by Robbo to bring Doran on for Mulraney and then Mackay when he did, I felt both would change the game. Vigurs penalty was poor (for some reason I think left footers are more likely to miss a penalty anyway...just from observing many penalty shoot-outs), but I wasn't totally convinced it was one anyway, and if we had won the game from that, it would have been somewhat flat as a victory. Our winning goal was great, and probably only the second time in the match that we properly carved their defence up. As someone else said Cup finals are for winning and we did, the players looked elated, and hopefully will give them a lift for the running in, so that we can lift any thoughts of a relegation play-off, off our backs and maybe inch towards those play-offs. Given that Donaldson only came back from injury for this game, it'll be interesting to see if Robbo starts him on Tuesday. I'm up for the Dunfermline game on the 21st April (straight after a Dumbarton double-header ) which I am looking forward to, and a lot of games will have been played by then. I know many people have been disappointed with this season, but maybe because I don't see us play every week, I am encouraged by the green shoots that I see in some of the new players that have come in (and Doran's slow but steady return).

The guy is just back from injury, so was a bit rusty. He confessed at the end he was worried about extra time because he was knackered. Give him a break - I thought he did very well, and merited his MoM.

Congratulations to a Gary Warren and Iain Vigurs (and wives / partners) on the birth of their new babies in the lead up to the final.

Would folk have rathered we had played a blinder and lost? Tell you something that last gap goal was up with the best of them! Id almost forgot the raw emotion when this happens. Having seen and spoken to a good few players this win meant a lot to them. Lets just have a wee break for celebration and then return to the drudge of the league this season.

Well i enjoyed yet another memorable ICT away day. Those who i expected to see i met and saw. Nowt wrong with the atmosphere. As fer the game it was poor but both teams set up defrnsively. Loads of positives to me. Ridgers has cemented his place and really is a solid keeper. Donaldson was immense, Tremarco is the Duracell Bunny, Polworth ran his socks off as did Oakley and we appear to have unearthed a wee cracker in MacKay - simply has to be signed up - with sell on clauses - and given some real game time. We never looked troubled, defensively we kept it tight and shaped, thought we played some pretty stuff a times BUT as all season lacked the killer touch in the last third and lack of a proficient striker. We deserved to win. Our heads could have gone down after that deplorable penalty kicked but we kept to the age old adage of keeping going to the final whistle. Respect to the team and the loyal away support. Just need to get out of the play off spot and start planning gor nect season. Cant believe that so many are whingeing. To me it was a last gasp winner, just as stimulating and enjoyable as the Vincent clincher at Hampden - and giving most fans a well deserved, albeit wholly unexpected cup winning experience in the worst season in years. We are still alive and kicking and the only way is up dudes. Have a nice day ☺

In a similar (but politer) vein, my 10yo daughter said to me at half time “why don’t they try to kick it into the net?” This was followed by “and why is the ball up in the air so much?” She was obviously comparing her first pro game with the coaching she gets at a girls team she recently joined. I could only reply “good question!”

Try telling these guys it's only a diddy cup...

Not the greatest game ever but let’s give credit to Dumbarton. They defended very well indeed with a game plan to stop us playing. They kept things very narrow giving our midfield little space, and then they closed us down quickly making it difficult for us to find space. Having said that, we should have had the quality to find the cute passes into the space behind or to take defenders on - but we didn’t. That’s a worry. Mulraney looked particularly ineffective in a situation where getting past his man would have given him space to use his pace. Doran and particularly MacKay added that bit of sparkle as the Dumbarton defence tired. We might have got 2 or 3 at the end (Vigurs awful penalty apart). Doran drew a smart save from the keeper and MacKay took a shot when he had better options. Getting the cup win should be a great psychological boost, whilst the final 10 minutes should give some clues on how to break Dumbarton down in the games to come. As I say, not the greatest game ever, but a really important win for a number of reasons. Finally. Delighted for Gary Warren to be able to play in a final and collect the silverware.

We’ve reached the final of this tournament three times in a row (when eligible), winning 14 of our last 15 fixtures in it.

Donaldson Tremarco Mackay

His post match interview was very professional and mature. A future captain in my opinion.

Disagree. Brad Mckay is mince at right back and if we were to go 4-3-3, I'd rather Seedorf bombing forward than a player whose crossing usually consists of him hoofing the ball to row Z of the North Stand.

Cup finals are games for winning. You have to win, that’s it. We won, thrillingly so. The performance was typical of this season in its limitations and positives. It says a lot that a 16 year old got into better positions, created more chances and threatened their goal more than than our three starying forwards did the entire match. Be interesting to see how we play Mckay for the rest of the season. I don’t think we can start him but he should be among the first ports of call from the bench. The management will have to take a call on how well he can cope with first team football physically - guys like Harry Cochrane are playing every week at his age. overall though, it was a great day, good to get some good feeling back in the club after some diabolical seasons.

Couldn't have put it better, old caley girl. I must admit there was a fair bit of cursing and swearing going on in our corner of the North Stand at some of our team throughout the game, but while we were moaning about opportunities missed, the 'singing section' in the bottom right hand corner of the North Stand managed to crank up the volume every time one of the boys made a bit of a hash of something and this must have been invaluable when it came to keeping the team's spirits up - as always, very well done to the singing section. It feels so good to smile again. Congratulations ICT.

I feel sorry for Dumbarton

Laurence, that’s bizarre. Dumbarton probably need to beat us twice so why would they be parking the bus? Also disrespectful to Brechin who have no pressure now they’re officially down.

As well as being solid at the back, Donaldson was one of the only players on the park who wanted to carry the ball forward - I'm genuinely surprised that you think he looked like he didn't want the ball. It's true that he misplaced a couple of passes, but I think that was partly to do with the fact that the movement from our players in more advanced areas was frequently dreadful. That game should have been an opportunity for Mulraney to show off his ability, and he contributed nothing. Daniel Mackay provided more width, directness and outball in his first two minutes in the park than Mulraney did all game.

Good on you, Blair. We're not all 1950's throwbacks here . good luck with your endeavours with the club. I don't suppose you can afford a 25 goal per season striker?

If you don't like me I have no problem with that Charles or you think I am Indian or whatever no problem with that I have plenty of Indian friends and one of my business partners is from Pakistan and I have employed at least 100 Indians so far personally I see no problem with working with them in real life basic or online. if you don't want to read anything I say just ignore my comments.

The criticism on here is partly a disrfespect to Dumbarton. They are a part time team who waited over 100 years to reach another cup final. They proved extremely resilient yesterday and were much more dangerous than us in the first half. Luckily our possession football paid off in the second half although only just. That said, cup finals are often cagey affairs whether world cup or champions league. That said, we needed a positive result this year and we now move forward to retain our status in the Championship before going again next year. The players will have learned a lot from their experience this year. We need to hang on to Donaldson and Mackay though. Warren has now learnt to avoid being banned for a cup final and quite righly now has a winners medal with us.

I had to watch on TV as I had a family birthday party in the evening. A slightly nervous opening as Dumbarton crafted better chances, but other than the deflection off Donaldson that Ridgers saved, we never really seemed in danger. They were set up to make it difficult for us to build play and create chances, making it a slow, patient game, and pretty dull most of the time. I feared the worst after the penalty, but credit to the team, they did not get deflated and their patience was rewarded. Great to have Donaldson back, but my plaudits go to MacKay and Tremarco. Well done guys, lets now kick on!!

I can't believe people are moaning about the quality of the game - who cares. The atmosphere was great and the ending was perfect. It's been nearly 3 years since i had any fun watching Caley. The celebrations at the end today made it all worthwhile. I loved it.

Not the greatest game I have seen, but history won't remember that, just the name of the winners and the goalscorer. I think it showed where we need to strengthen for next season. Col Donaldson was terrific at the back and striding forward to start attacks, definitely deserved his man of the match. So pleased as well for Tremarco, he works his socks off for the team. Robertson must know now the he has to give young Mackay more game time, he was more effective in the short time he was on, than some that played most of the game. I hope this gives the team the boost that they need, and we can kick on for the rest of the season.

The manager drove to York (370 miles), picked up Daniel MacKay (and Kieran Chalmers I believe) and drove back to Edinburgh (200 miles) where they stayed overnight before heading on to Perth (a further 45 miles.... all "ish"). Daniel was asked about it in his Sportsound post-match interview, where one of the questions was "so who got to choose the music on the way back?" to which the answer was "oh there wasn't any music because the gaffer talked all the time". Making that trip in advance of the stresses and strains of managing a team in a cup final shows quite a lot of commitment to tge job.

A truly awful game of football where it got to the stage I was willing either team to score just so I could go home! Fitting that Tremarco got the winner considering his last Final appearance and kudos to young McKay who made an impact when he came on. Hope he's signed up on a very long term contract!

More than that, our first international trophy!

Well done ICT, a struggle but we got there. As soon as it is possible Sign Daniel Mackay on a long, long contract and ensure a huge sell on fee is written into his contract. That lad transformed the Team's attitude as soon as 'he came on.

Took my daughter to her first ever football match and spent 90 minutes thinking she’ll never want to to another one, but what an ending. She says she enjoyed it, but I’ll perhaps need to explain that games don’t always result in a win, a cup presentation and all the confetti!

Well done the lads. A poor start, where Dumbarton looked likely to score, but by half time we looked more threatening, if ultimately toothless.But to their credit they stuck with it, and got the reward they deserved. The subs made the difference, Mackay's cross was perfect, and kudos to Carl for being in the right place to slot it in. I am glad we won from open play and not a penalty. You can see we are still a work in progress, and it is fairly obvious who we should keep and who should go in the summer - but there is a core we can build around. This season was always going to be difficult, so let's hope we can build on this, finish strongly and have a proper go next season. Special mention to MoM Coll Donaldson. Great to have him back.

Add that to the gate money and, yes, that does help the solvency situation roundly. Congrats, anyway, to CaleyThistle for bringing home this cup this year. And, hopefully, spur the team on to the finishing line with a burst of energy and uplifted spirit.

wish i was there but couldn't make it due to work. I'll be there in spirit bring it on home inverness caledonian thistle

Were we watching the same match? I agree that in the 2nd half he was better and looked to go forward more. He was fairly solid in his defensive duties but Dumbarton were hardly testing the back line apart from the 1st 20/25 mins. His passing in the first half was drivil, when he did get the ball he went sideways or lost it. His movement was slow and looked disinterested. Living in Yorkshire I don’t get to many games but my old man is a season ticket holder and he said it was the one of the poorest performances from Donaldson he had seen all season. We both looked at each other in shock when the MOTM announcement was made.