Northern Ireland County Antrim Shield

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County Antrim F.A. Wikipedia

Wikipedia - County Antrim Shield

The County Antrim & District Football Association Senior Shield (more commonly known as the County Antrim Shield) is a football competition in Northern Ireland. The competition is open to senior teams who are members of the North East Ulster Football Association (also known as the County Antrim & District Football Association) (membership of which extends geographically beyond County Antrim itself), often plus intermediate teams who qualify via the Steel & Sons Cup, depending on the numbers required. For the 2010–11 and 2011-12 seasons, only the winners took part.

The current Shield champions are Larne, who beat Glentoran 2–1 in the 2023–24 final, winning the trophy for a fourth successive year.

History

The County Antrim & District Football Association was founded on April 23, 1888 by the clubs Ballyclare, Beechmount, Belfast Athletic, Clarence, Cliftonville, Distillery, Linfield, Mountcollyer, Oldpark, Whiteabbey and YMCA. The County Antrim FA has organised the competition for the County Antrim Shield annually ever since. Originally only clubs from County Antrim (to which most but not all of Belfast belonged) could enter; in 1896 it was extended to incorporate clubs from south east Belfast (in particular Glentoran and Ulster), which belonged to County Down (other clubs from County Down to have entered later on include Ards, Bangor and Newry City). Glenavon from Lurgan (County Armagh) first entered in 1912. In 1971/72 and 1972/73, the final was played over 2 legs.

During the later 1980s and early 1990s, the North East Ulster F.A. invited senior clubs from outside its jurisdiction to participate. Hence the Shield has been won by Newry Town (later Newry City) and Glenavon, neither of which are members of the North East Ulster Football Association.

The Shield has been regularly sponsored since the late 1980s. The 2014–15 competition was sponsored by Toals Bookmakers.

The Northern Ireland County Antrim Shield is a prestigious soccer tournament held annually in Great Britain. It is one of the oldest and most revered competitions in Northern Ireland, showcasing the talent and passion for the sport in the region.

The tournament, which dates back to 1888, is exclusively open to teams from County Antrim, a historic and football-rich region in Northern Ireland. It brings together some of the top clubs and players from the area, creating an exciting and fiercely competitive atmosphere.

The County Antrim Shield is known for its rich history and tradition, with many legendary teams and players having graced its stages over the years. It has become a platform for local clubs to showcase their skills and compete for the prestigious title, while also providing an opportunity for emerging talents to make a name for themselves.

The tournament follows a knockout format, with teams battling it out in intense matches to progress to the next round. The matches are often filled with drama, excitement, and high-quality football, captivating both the players and the passionate fans who come out in large numbers to support their respective teams.

The County Antrim Shield not only serves as a platform for local clubs to compete for glory but also acts as a stepping stone for teams to gain recognition and progress to higher levels of competition. It has produced many successful teams that have gone on to achieve great success in national and international competitions.

The tournament's rich history, passionate fanbase, and high level of competition make it a must-watch event for soccer enthusiasts in Great Britain. It showcases the best of Northern Irish football and provides a thrilling experience for both players and spectators alike.