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 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.

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 game in charge of Ballymena United. As a former player was it an easy decision to take on the job mid-season or did time served as Coleraine boss make this a difficult decision? He talks about his new coaching staff, Bertnel Thompson retiring, targets, familiar faces in the squad, and having to cancel a ski trip due to the timing of this job coming up.

Plus we catch up with Portadown's Eamon Fyfe and learn about the conversation the led to him becoming their main forward, the faith his manager Niall Currie has shown in him and now finding himself in the best goal scoring form of his career.

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.

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 month in memory of Michael Newberry and he shares his hopes of clinching the Co. Antrim Shield with a place in the final earned at Ballymena United's expense earlier this week.

Plus Chris Gallagher will talk about Larne prevailing in the top two clash on Tuesday night to move the Invermen into first position, they've a testing trip to Stangmore Park to navigate on Saturday, while he reflects on nearing two years at the club, last season's European exploits and the impact of Gary Haveron to not just steady the ship but to get the best out of his team.

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 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 different targets in mind.

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.

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 teammates and more.

While, Pat Hoban gives us his assessment on his start at Glentoran, their aspirations this season, we hear his thoughts on moving to the Irish League plus he opens up about the people who shaped his career and looks back fondly on his record-breaking time at Dundalk.

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.