But that won't stop the young 32--year-old living in hope that he can relive that special moment before he consigns his playing boots to the locker - he tells the Daily Record
As he does every day, Lovell walked past the trophy that sits in a cabinet in the Almondvale foyer beside souvenirs of the club's first SPL game in 2001 and the first European tie with FC Vaduz in 2002, yesterday morning before heading out to prepare for tonight's cup tie with Dundee.
Lovell admits the trophy will forever hold a special place in the hearts of everyone connected with the Lions and reckons the very mention of the competition will act as a spur to the club's players tonight.
And although he understands the odds of any provincial club managing to retain the trophy are slim, it will not stop him dreaming of another day like March 14,2004.
The former Reading and Hibs midfielder said: 'I reckon for Livingston it must be about 250-1 at the moment to win it again but I think for a team outwith Celtic and Rangers it's not nearly as much a long shot as it used to be.
'If you look at Rangers, I don't think anyone would fear playing them right now and I think Hibs showed the way against Celtic on Sunday.
'Celtic's involvement in the Champions League means they are going to be playing a lot more games, and that’s good news for teams like Livingston.
'When we won the trophy last year I said in an interview afterwards that it must surely mean more to us than to Rangers and Celtic, where winning the CIS Cup is more of an afterthought, given all the other things they are playing in.
'It was fantastic for us and something everyone here was entitled to celebrate.
'It is the one chance the other clubs have to win a trophy.'
It was Lovell himself who dragged his aching tired limbs up the staircase at the Hampden Park in March to hold aloft the CIS Cup following the 2-0 victory over Hibs.
Once spirited back to West Lothian and placed in the glass case at the club's home, the Cup would frequently go 'missing' as players would take it away for photographs and officials for marketing opportunities.
It is clear they have enjoyed having the CIS Cup visit Almondvale before it is removed in March to be presented to this season's winners.
And Lovell knows no one at Livi will be keen to give it back, even for a short time.
He said: 'A lot of people think you will have had sleepless nights thinking about what it would be like to walk up to collect the trophy but I didn't give it a minute's thought until after the game.
'It only hit home when I was walking up there. It was great and something I would love to do again. I don't know whether it will happen but you live in hope.'
& used will full permission of Livingston FC