Antrim GAA have announced this morning the appointment of Michael McShane as the new senior hurling manager for the coming season. It’s an appointment that probably had an air of inevitability to it and won’t come as a surprise to many but following the application process, the following statement was released this morning:
Statement – Antrim GAA, 17th July 2026
Antrim GAA Management Committee confirm the appointment of Michael McShane as incoming senior hurling manager, following a thorough recruitment process. That recommendation will go to County Committee at the beginning of next week for ratification.
Michael McShane, from McQuillian’s, Ballycastle, has managed Antrim U20 hurlers for the last two seasons and previously managed Tyrone senior hurlers, Slaughtneil and also his home club.
Antrim Chairman Seamus McMullan welcomed the appointment.
“Michael brings a wealth of experience to the role, along with an extensive knowledge of Antrim hurling. We are an ambitious hurling county, and that ambition is shared by Michael and his incoming management team.
Everyone across Antrim will wish them well, and when the competitions begin in 2027, the county will be fully behind our players and management.
I also want to thank the selection committee for overseeing a diligent, thorough, and professional appointment process.”
McShane’s appointment as U20 manager was seen by many as succession planning. After the turbulent end to Davy Fitzgerald’s time with the Saffrons, perhaps the Ballycastle native’s appointment has been fast-tracked quicker than initially might have been expected.
He comes in at the end of a “thorough recruitment process” but there’s no dounting his credentials for the job. Nine Derry titles and four Ulster club championships with Slaughtneil, leading the Derry side to the breakthrough for Derry clubs in the provincial championships while coming up agonisingly short against Na Pairsaigh, Ballyhale and Ballygunner on the All Ireland stage.
This isn’t McShane’s first taste of senior county management, he was in charge of Tyrone and led them to the national league Division Three crown and the Nicky Rackard Cup during his tenure from 2021 to 2023 – described as: “three hugely productive years” before taking over Antrim’s U20s last year.
He led the U20s through a successful Leinster campaign that saw them clinch the U20B title with a comfortable win over Carlow in May of this year. In an interview after the game, he recognised the talent that’s coming through for Antrim and with that knowledge, there isn’t anyone better placed to take the job.
The appointment is still to be ratified at the County Committee meeting at the beginning of next week and his backroom team is still to be confirmed. All eyes will be looking out for that announcement but for now, Antrim have got their man.
Ádh mór Michil, go n-éiri leat!