The Score NI

NIFL CEO Gerard Lawlor chats to Michael about the launch of 'NIFL TV' which begins with 4 live streamed Boxing Day derbies.Dungannon Swifts manager Rodney McAree reflects on a successful 2025 and discusses where the club are looking to go in 2026, from January transfer talk to cup hopes and aspirations for more European adventures.Plus we'll be joined by Jamie McGonigle who has put his injury woes behind him and was quickly back among the goals for the league leaders Coleraine. They have a challenging run of games over the festive period, he'll assess their readiness to continue their title pursuit.

Our guests this week aren't afraid of a challenge - whether it's overcoming injuries to succeed, taking a leap of faith at a new opportunity or boldly stepping out of retirement and back onto the pitch.We have a great, in-depth chat with former Linfield star Paul Smyth ten years on from his Irish League debut. He chats about his favourite memories from the past decade, gives us an insight into his time since returning to QPR and shares his thoughts on Northern Ireland's trip to Italy in March.Davy McDaid explains why he jumped at the chance to become John Gregg's assistant manager at Portstewart, the emotions before and after his final Glenavon game and the struggles they have faced in recent times.Plus Ross Redman on why he decided to come out of retirement, how the Annagh Utd move complements his coaching journey and we take a trip down memory lane from some standout moments from his career.

On this week's episode Michael brings you some huge career news and once again delves into the lives of his brilliant guests. We're joined by Barnsley midfielder Patrick Kelly, who made his senior international debut on Monday for Northern Ireland. We discuss his time with Coleraine and how he's found the move to England with time at West Ham and Doncaster Rovers before his transfer to The Tykes.Fred Magee MBE reflects on dedicating over half a century to football in this country from his beloved Harland and Wolff Welders to his matchday role with the Irish Football Association and much more.Plus we chat to goalkeeper Nathan Gartside whose heroics helped to send Carrick Rangers to their first Co. Antrim Shield final since 1992/1993 season!

Michael chats milestones and moves with this week's guests.Coleraine striker Matthew Shevlin reflects on reaching 100 goals for the club, he discusses the hard work behind their table topping form and looks forward to a trip to champions Linfield this weekend.Ballymena United defender Matthew Clarke opens up about his return to the league, season in the Scottish Championship and what it's like playing for his former teammate Jim Ervin.Plus John McGovern looks back on an incredible year in his career, from winning the Irish Cup in May with Dungannon Swifts to lifting the League of Ireland Premier Division title last week with Shamrock Rovers and he is hoping to add the FAI Cup to his list of honours this Sunday.

Michael is joined by 3 guests who are opening a new chapter in their careers. Michael O'Connor tells us about accepting the manager's position at his old club Glenavon; can he help them beat the drop? What makes him confident he is the right man to turn their fortunes around? What former managers will he draw inspiration from as he takes his first steps in senior management?We chat to Tiernan Kelly, who is making a good impression in his first season at Dungannon Swifts. He reflects on his time at Loughgall, what the club did for his career, getting the opportunity to swap relegation for European football and the targets he has set himself under manager Rodney McAree. Plus we hear from new Dundela boss Clifford Adams, who helped the club achieve their first win of the Championship season in his first game in charge. Was it difficult to leave Portadown? After so many years as an assistant, was it daunting to be offered a manager's job? How big will the January window be for the Wilgar Park outfit? It's all covered in this week's episode.

It has been a big week for Mid Ulster rivals Portadown and Glenavon. The Ports picked up only their third victory of the league season with a 95th minute winner at Solitude on Saturday, while Glenavon slumped to a 9th straight defeat in the Premiership which brought about the decision to part ways with manager Paddy McLaughlin.As both clubs prepare for a big derby clash at Shamrock Park, we bring you insight from Ports first team coach John McAllister and Colin Coates, who was part of the backroom team at the Lurgan Blues until last weekend.

Michael meets Communities Minister Gordon Lyons for an exclusive interview to discuss the NI Football Fund and we're also joined by Larne defender Ryan Nolan to discuss his fascinating career, which has seen him play for clubs including Inter Milan and Getafe.

On this week's episode Michael gets the lowdown on the Northern Ireland squad from journalist Mark McIntosh ahead of their opening World Cup Qualifiers away to Luxembourg and Germany. They also discuss Linfield's European exit and Cliftonville's proposed takeover.Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe talks about his move to Dungannon Swifts, working with Rodney McAree again and his hopes to get the team firing as they travel to Glenavon; it will be a meeting of the two teams yet to register any points in the Premiership.Plus we catch up with Limavady United's summer signing Philip Lowry. How is he finding the Championship and what targets have the players been set by ambitious manager Paul Owens?

On this week's episode we hear from two teams who have enjoyed winning starts to the new campaign.Andrew Mills reflects on a season as understudy to Dan Gyollai at Glentoran before taking on the number 1 jersey and backing it up with 3 clean sheets in a row as his side moved to the top of the table on Tuesday night.Meanwhile, Ballymena United made it two away wins on the bounce. We're joined by their midfielder Patrick McEleney who has settled into life at the Sky Blues following his January arrival. They are preparing for their first home outing of this new campaign on Saturday.Plus, with the Premier Intermediate League season kicking off this weekend, we speak to one of the clubs who will be vying for promotion. Stuart King brings us up to speed with the cup action that has kept them busy in recent weeks and tells us how he is feeling heading into his first league game in the dugout as Newry City gaffer.

We continue our build up to the new Irish Premiership season with Part 2 of our preview featuring all 6 clubs who will be on the road on opening weekend. In this episode we speak to Rodney McAree (Dungannon Swifts), Tim McCann (Glentoran), Nathan Rooney (Larne), Rory Hale (Cliftonville), Stephen Baxter (Carrick Rangers) and Jim Ervin (Ballymena Utd) to gauge confidence levels with the new campaign only days away!

In our last episode of the series, Michael speaks to Carrick Rangers manager Stephen Baxter about securing Premiership status for next season after winning their play-off against Annagh Utd, plus we get his thoughts on the Irish Cup final and the rebuilding job he faces in the summer.We also bring you interviews from the prestigious NIFWA Awards, which were held in Belfast on Sunday. Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill was there to help induct legendary players Steven Davis and Stuart Dallas into the Dr. Malcolm Brodie Hall of Fame and we caught up with all three men plus we'll hear from Manager of the Year Rodney McAree and Championship Player of the Year Ben Arthurs.

Michael speaks to Northern Ireland international Gavin Whyte about his move to Derry City, Linfield legend Michael Gault discusses the opportunity some of his young players enjoyed at Inver Park last weekend as they stepped up to the senior team and Gary Boyle reflects on his return to management, which has brought a league title and promotion in his first full season at Warrenpoint Town.