| County Antrim Shield | |
| Year: | 1996–97 |
| Num Teams: | 16 |
| Defending Champions: | Glenavon |
| Winners: | Cliftonville (6th win) |
| Second: | Ballymena United |
| Matches: | 15 |
| Goals: | 36 |
| Prev Season: | 1995–96 |
| Next Season: | 1997–98 |
The 1996–97 County Antrim Shield was the 108th edition of the County Antrim Shield, a cup competition in Northern Irish football.[1]
Cliftonville won the tournament for the 6th time, defeating Ballymena United 5–4 on penalties after the final finished 0-0. This was the second time the final had been played, after the original match was abandoned after 66 minutes due to crowd disorder.[2] For the 11th year running three clubs from County Armagh competed (Glenavon, Newry Town and Portadown).[3]
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