The assault took place in Abbeytown Square at about 23:00 BST on Friday.
The victim sustained injuries to his back, arms and legs and was taken to hospital for treatment.
A police spokesman said no motive for the attack has been established so far and he appealed for witnesses to come forward.
A gang of up to four masked men have used wooden bats to attack and injure an 18-year-old man in Newtownabbey, County Antrim.