St John's end 52-year wait for Antrim SHC glory

October 19, 2025

St John's Conor Johnston the colours of Antrim

St John’s are Antrim senior hurling champions for the first time since 1973 thanks to a one-point victory over Loughiel Shamrocks at Páirc MacUílín this afternoon.

The scoreboard read 2-16 to 1-18 at the final whistle at the Ballycastle ground, sparking wild celebrations from the Naomh Eoin contingent as their club recorded its eighth ever county SHC success.

After an airtight opening 30 minutes in this decider, it was Donal Carson’s goal in the second minute of injury-time that sent St John’s in at the break with a 1-8 to 0-8 advantage.

Oisin MacManus added another goal 11 minutes into the second-half which put the victors five ahead before Shane McGrath rattled the net at the other end for the 20-time champions.

James Naughton and Aaron Bradley each shot points down the home stretch and, in the closing stages, the Shamrocks would get back within a point but Gerard Cunnigham’s men were able to hold on for a famous one-point win under relentless pressure from their opponents.


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