FORMER Sleacht Neil and Tyrone manager Michael McShane has been appointed as the Antrim U20 hurling manager, as per sources.
A source close to Antrim GAA confirmed that the Ballycastle man has taken the position after Paudie Shivers was added to new Antrim senior hurling manager Davy Fitzgerald’s backroom staff.
Former Saffron and St John’s senior hurler Brian McFall is said to be part of McShane’s backroom team, along with another selector, who is believed to be from McShane’s home turf of Ballycastle.
Last year came to a bitter end for the young Saffrons as they were pipped in the Ulster final by Derry at Corrigan Park by three points, with Sleacht Néill’s Ruairí Ó Mianáin scoring 1-3 for the Oak Leafers.
McShane brings a wealth of experience to the role, having been the Sleacht Néill hurling manager for nine years, taking over in 2015 and winning the Derry county title every year he was manager and the Ulster Club Hurling Championship four times during his time with the Robbies.
Between 2021 and 2023, McShane also double-jobbed as the Tyrone senior hurling manager, leading the Red Hands to the Nicky Rackard Cup final twice in his first two years and winning it in 2022 before stepping down in May 2023.
