2025–26 County Antrim Shield
| Tournament details | |
|---|---|
| Country | Northern Ireland |
| Teams | 16 |
| Final positions | |
| Champions | Carrick Rangers (2nd title) |
| Runners-up | Cliftonville |
| Tournament statistics | |
| Matches played | 15 |
| Goals scored | 45 (3 per match) |
| Official website | |
| countyantrimfa | |
The 2025–26 County Antrim Shield was the 137th edition of the County Antrim Shield, a cup competition in men's Northern Irish football.[1]
Carrick Rangers won the tournament for the second time, defeating Cliftonville 4–2 on penalties after a 1–1 draw in the final.[2][3]
Results
First round
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Ballyclare Comrades | 0–2 | Ballymena United |
| Ballymacash Rangers | 1–0 | Dundela |
| Carrick Rangers | 3–0 | Bangor |
| Cliftonville | 2–0 | Crusaders |
| Glentoran | 3–1 | Ards |
| Larne | 1–0 | Queen's University |
| Linfield | 6–1 | Harland & Wolff Welders |
| Newington | 3–0 | Knockbreda |
Quarter-finals
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Ballymacash Rangers | 0-3 | Larne |
| Carrick Rangers | 2–2 (5–4 p) | Glentoran |
| Cliftonville | 4–1 | Linfield |
| Newington | 0–1 | Ballymena United |
Semi-finals
| Team 1 | Score | Team 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Ballymena United | 1–4 | Cliftonville |
| Carrick Rangers | 1–1 (4–3 p) | Larne |
Final
| Carrick Rangers | 1–1 | Cliftonville |
|---|---|---|
| Lecky 80' | Report | Curran 3' |
| Penalties | ||
| Callacher McCllough Gibson Steele |
4–2 | Curran Addis Hale McStravick |
Referee: Christopher Morrison (Northern Ireland)
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Man of the Match:
Assistant referees:
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Match rules[4]
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References
- ^ "Irish League Archive, County Antrim Shield". Irish League Archive. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ "County Antrim Shield: Carrick Rangers beat Cliftonville in final on penalties". BBC Sport. January 20, 2026.
- ^ "Carrick Rangers defeat Cliftonville on penalties to win first senior trophy in 33 years". January 20, 2026 – via www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk.
- ^ "Documents – County Antrim Football Association".