The Score NI

Michael signs off with a bumper edition of the podcast featuring interviews with Stephen Small and Darren Mullen plus journalist Mark McIntosh brings us his Boxing Day predictions before taking over to host a special Q&A where it's Michael's turn to answer some big questions and share memories!

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 h...

Northern Ireland and Swansea City's Ethan Galbraith joins Michael to discuss the step up to Championship football, establishing himself as a regular starter for his country, his thoughts on upcoming World Cup qualifying play-off against Italy and tells us about the role Leyton Orient played in re-invigorating his career after leaving Manchester United. Oran Kearney joins us ahead of his first...

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...

Bangor manager Lee Feeney joins Michael to assess their return to the top flight. Having suffered a recent dip in results he promises they are working hard to improve consistency and meet the demands of the Premiership. Will there be some wheeling and dealing in January? We put the question to him. Conor Pepper discusses playing and coaching life at Cliftonville, two special events being run next...

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...

Michael is joined by former Northern Ireland international Keith Gillespie to discuss the Green and White Army's final two World Cup qualifiers in Group A. Glentoran defender Ryan Cooney and Crusaders forward Fraser Bryden share their journeys from England and Scotland to the Irish League and provide us with an inside look at what it's like to be at each club at this moment in time with di...

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'...

We've gone for two up front this week with a pair of forwards joining Michael for this episode. Cliftonville's Eric McWoods provides the inside track on his other sporting passions, growing up in America, experiences gained through playing football in a number of countries and he tells us about a special link he has to Northern Ireland as well as discussion around this season, his teammate...

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 Tie...

Journalist Stuart McKinley joins Michael to assess Northern Ireland's chances heading into crucial World Cup Qualifiers at Windsor Park against Slovakia and Germany. Plus there's in-depth discussion around youth football in Northern Ireland. Are our academies receiving enough support? What more can be done? We speak to Cliftonville's Head of Academy Marc Smyth and Moyola Park manager M...

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...

Our guests all picked up impressive wins on the road last weekend. Bangor defender Mark Haughey was on the scoresheet as his team won 4-1 at Portadown, he talks about his move to the Seasiders, overcoming injuries that plagued his second spell at Glenavon and he takes a trip down memory lane ahead of this Friday's clash with former club Linfield. Jordan Stewart grabbed the headlines with two goals...

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 we bring you an in-depth interview with former Irish League referee Lee Tavinder. Do officials need technology to help them? Would falling under NIFL's scope, rather than the IFA, make a difference? Are there decisions that still haunt him to this day? Plus we speak to the Championship's early pacesetters Annagh United. Their manager Ciaran McGurgan shares his th...

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 tea...

Dylan Boyle joins us to discuss a bright start to the season for him and the Bannsiders with Coleraine picking up 3 wins and a draw from their opening 4 fixtures. We chat to Larne's Sean Graham who is ready to face former club Ballymena United on Friday night. The Invermen are seeking to build on their first win of the campaign last weekend but will face a stern test against a Sky Blues team who h...

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 jo...

The new domestic campaign returned with a bang at the weekend with a crazy comeback, late-winners and some shocks. Joining us to discuss their early impressions on this week's episode we hear from new Carrick Rangers recruit Matthew Snoddy who was involved in a 7 goal thriller against one of his former clubs. Bangor defender Kyle Owens reflects on helping the Seasiders secure their first top fligh...

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...

We're helping you get ready for the return of the Irish Premiership by bringing you interviews with the 6 clubs who will enjoy home advantage next weekend. You'll hear from managers David Healy (Linfield), Lee Feeney (Bangor), Declan Caddell (Crusaders) and Niall Currie (Portadown), Glenavon's assistant manager Colin Coates and Coleraine captain Lyndon Kane.

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 Ire...

Will it be underdogs Dungannon Swifts who lift the Irish Cup for the first time in the history of this famous competition or, having ended a 45-year wait to reclaim the cup last year, will Cliftonville be able to retain it for another season? Michael is joined by former Swifts midfielder Shane McCabe and ex-Reds forward Sam Ashford to get a better understanding of what the players from both camps...

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.

We have 3 guests on different quests this week from attempting to secure European qualification, to a promotion bid that could yet still become a title charge and a club looking for a late escape from the relegation zone. Michael is joined by Larne defender Aaron Donnelly, H&W Welders manager Paul Kee and Newington captain Richard Gowdy.