Successful season for Carrick Rangers comes to an end

Silverware and a record-breaking points tally, it has been a great campaign for Carrick Rangers.

During his first full season at the helm, Stephen Baxter's guided the side to their first senior trophy since 1993 as they won the County Antrim Shield thanks to a penalty shootout victory against Cliftonville.

There have been vast improvements from Carrick's 11th placed finish the previous season when a convincing 8-3 aggregate victory over Annagh United in the promotion/relegation play-off secured their Premiership status for this campaign.

Coming into the 2025-26 season, 12 players left with Baxter putting his stamp on the side and bringing in plenty of Irish League experience which paid off.

One negative of the season was that they couldn't keep the momentum going in the European play-off, when the side were beaten 3-1 by the Swifts.