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 Martin Smith.

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.

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 in his latest scintillating showing, as Glentoran came from behind to beat Coleraine. Still unbeaten, the Glens are getting ready to welcome Larne to the Oval on Saturday. How has Stewart found his return to the club after 10 years away and how far can this group of players go? We find out his thoughts.

Plus, H&W Welders are hoping to build on a big win at Limavady Utd when they head to East Belfast derby rivals Dundela on Friday night. Paul Kee talks us through a busy summer and a smart start to the new campaign.

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 thoughts on a perfect start to the campaign with 5 wins in as many games.

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?

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 haven't conceded a league goal on their way to collecting a maximum 9 points so far.

Meanwhile, it's been a frustrating start for Glenavon who are one of three clubs yet to record a win. The Lurgan Blues have lost their first 4 matches but can manager Paddy McLaughlin change that this weekend when they head to his old stomping ground Solitude? He gives us his verdict on where the club are at.

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.

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 flight win in 16 years and we get a Championship perspective from Loughgall boss Darren Murphy, whose side won Friday's curtain raiser against Institute.

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!