The Score NI

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.

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 will experience in the build up to and throughout Saturday's showpiece at Windsor Park.

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.

Michael is joined by Linfield goalie David Walsh, who enjoyed a breakthrough campaign to become the Blues first-choice between the posts on their way to Gibson Cup glory.

We get to know Charles Dunne, who has impressed since his January arrival at Coleraine.

Plus we catch up with Limavady United manager Paul Owens, whose side are part of a three-way tussle for a promotion playoff position with only three league games to go.

Ballymena United boss Jim Ervin looks ahead to their remaining split games as they chase down 7th spot and a European play-off place, we hear from former Linfield defender Matthew Clarke who has picked up silverware in Scotland with Livingston last weekend, while Annagh United's Ryan Moffatt discusses battling back from a horror injury just in time for an exciting end to the season in the Championship.

4 teams are left standing with designs on reaching the big day in May and after this weekend we'll know our finalists.

Joining us to discuss Ards v Cliftonville and Bangor v Dungannon Swifts is Michael Ruddy, Shea Gordon, Callum Byers and Andrew Mitchell.

They'll give us their predictions and we'd love to hear yours too - vote in our poll!

Darren Murphy joins Michael to reflect on Linfield's 57th title triumph, Dungannon Swifts pushing for European football and big games this weekend which will decide who finishes on the wrong side of the split.

Plus we have an in-depth chat with Ballymena Utd striker Johnny McMurray about his serious knee injury, his decision to document his road to recovery and an exciting new project he is working on.

Michael looks ahead to Sunday's League Cup final between Glentoran and Cliftonville with the help of key figures from both sides.

The Glens perspective is provided by boss Declan Devine, skipper Marcus Kane and 'keeper Dan Gyollai.

The Reds are represented by manager Jim Magilton, club captain Rory Hale and record goalscorer Joe Gormley.

As we head into an Irish Cup quarter-final weekend, we are joined by two Championship managers hoping to claim scalps to seal their spot in the semi-finals.

Bangor's Lee Feeney is preparing to welcome Irish League giants Glentoran to Clandeboye Park on Friday night, whilst John Bailie's Ards will be facing Premiership strugglers Loughgall on Saturday.

We'll also be speaking to defender Danny Wallace, who reflects on a brilliant season with Dungannon Swifts, as they look to overcome Carrick Rangers to continue their cup run.

With 13 points between 2nd and 10th, how much could the complexion of the league shift between now and the end of this campaign?

With the split looming next month, we chat to two teams in the bottom half who are hoping to at the very least force themselves into a European play-off position and ideally a top half finish.

Joining us on this week's episode are Stephen O'Donnell of Ballymena United and Jack Malone from Glenavon.

Michael is joined by former Carrick Rangers manager Stuart King who discusses his time out of management, whether he would favour a return sometime soon and how he assesses the title race - can anyone stop Linfield at this stage? The Blues face back-to-back champions Larne on Tuesday night.

We get to know Cliftonville defender Jack Keaney who was one of their January arrivals and a man well known to the club's assistant manager Gerard Lyttle.

Plus we get an insight into the aspirations of H&W Welders from one of their star players Daniel Kearns. He offers his thoughts on a highly competitive Championship and takes a trip down memory lane as we reflect on Irish League titles and time spent in England earlier in his career.

They are the two lowest-ranked teams remaining in the Irish Cup, both only one win away from reaching the quarter-final stage but can either of them capitalise on home advantage to reach the next round?

Joining us on this week's episode are Dollingstown boss Stephen Uprichard and Moyola Park player/coach Dwayne Nelson who are hosting Loughgall and Ards respectively on Saturday.

We speak to journalist, broadcaster and author Barry Flynn about the Big Two derby on Friday, where cup upsets might come from this weekend and his new book which is available for pre-order now.

Crusaders star Philip Lowry reacts to their win last weekend over Coleraine and looks ahead to a busy week with Portadown and Linfield in the league and an Irish Cup clash against his brother Stephen when Limavady United come to Seaview next week.

Carrick Rangers first team coach and player Mark Surgenor discusses entering his 10th year at the club, gaining coaching experience and explains why he is not panicking despite his teammates failing to find the net in their last 5 league games.

Plus we catch up with Portadown manager Niall Currie whose sides have performed above expectations this season. Can they keep it up? Will there be a couple of new faces added before the transfer window closes? We put those questions and more to him and find out what it's like to break the news to players that they are no longer a part of your plans.

Our 4 guests this week all have their sights on big targets. For Dungannon Swifts, they've started 2025 in the dizzy heights of 2nd in the Premiership. Where can they go from here? We speak to midfielder James Knowles about the fantastic season that the Stangmore side have had so far.

For Coleraine, it's not been smooth sailing and yet with all the changes at the club they are only 9 points behind the Swifts in the league. With investment leading to some big signings, how does captain Lyndon Kane assess where the club is at currently?

Plus we look ahead to the Co. Antrim Shield final with the help of Glentoran gaffer Declan Devine and Larne boss Gary Haveron. Will the Invermen make it 5-in-a-row or are the Glens about to land their first piece of silverware of this campaign?

After a festive break, we are back and joined by 3 guests to reflect on some interesting developments in the Irish League.

Glenavon have climbed out of the bottom two and are hoping to continue their ascent towards a European play-off spot. We speak to in-form player Matthew Snoddy about how they have managed to improve results in recent weeks.

Glentoran have a very busy January ahead, with a League Cup semi-final, Co. Antrim Shield final and Irish Cup 6th round clash with Linfield all on the way. Defender Kodi Foster-Lyons chats to us about a crucial month for the club.

Plus Limavady United skipper Stephen Lowry reflects on claiming a big scalp last weekend as the Roesiders dumped Larne out of the Irish Cup. Their attention now turns to a trip to Championship leaders Bangor on Friday night.

Mark McIntosh joins Michael to review the Premiership season so far for all 12 clubs and offer up his Boxing Day predictions.

Plus we preview the Steel and Sons Cup final with the help of two brothers who will be on opposing sides and their managers as Willowbank and Derriaghy prepare to meet on Christmas morning.

IFA Head of Refereeing Mike Riley and barrier-breaking match official Louise Thompson join Michael to discuss all things refereeing, from future use of technology to assist refs in the Irish League to how you can become one.

Plus we hear stories from their respective careers and put them on the spot with the questions you've been sending us!

Goalkeeper Dan Gyollai discusses his impressive start to life at Glentoran, recent bragging rights over the Blues, ambitions at the Oval, moving to Stoke City from Hungary as a teenager and an unlikely footballing idol growing up.

Harry Jewitt-White reflects on his season so far at Crusaders, the international footballer who helped convince him to sign for the club, his thoughts on the Irish Premiership and education received at Portsmouth.

We assess Limavady United's good start to their Championship campaign with strike Joe McCready. Having won the PIL in the previous season, just how big is the step up and how much higher can the Roesiders go?

Plus we launch a competition in association with BoyleSports.

Michael is joined by new Larne manager Nathan Rooney, Carrick Rangers star David Cushley and Portadown loanee Baris Altintop.

With two Premiership managers departing in the past week, we welcome new Glenavon boss Paddy McLaughlin onto the show to get his thoughts on the challenges facing him at Mourneview Park.

Journalist Stuart McKinley discusses Tiernan Lynch's decision to leave Larne, weighs up Linfield's lead at the top of the table and reflects on Northern Ireland's performance in the Nations League.

Plus we hear how Matthew Shevlin is finding the move to full-time football at Coleraine and he looks ahead to their clash with Crusaders this Sunday.

Michael is joined by Cliftonville assistant manager Gerard Lyttle to discuss the Reds recent winning run and his thoughts on the current crop of young stars in the Northern Ireland team, who he worked with in his time as U17 and U19 manager.

We hear from Josh Robinson on his coaching journey at Larne and his hopes to return to playing after time on the sidelines with an ACL injury.

Plus Robbie Garrett discusses some of his career highlights and lays out his promotion hopes with Bangor.

Michael has assembled a panel of defenders for this week's episode.

Colin Coates details his return from a career-threatening injury to play 90 minutes in Ballymena United's League Cup success on Tuesday.

We hear from Loughgall captain Ben Murdock whose side have picked up back-to-back wins in the Premiership for the first time in this campaign and are hoping to kick on.

Plus Dale Montomgery discusses Armagh City's shootout victory over Glenavon and previews his return to former club Newry City on Friday night.

We bring you a special European edition of The Score, as we build up to the UEFA Conference League clash between NIFL champions Larne and LOI champions Shamrock Rovers.

Providing an insight into the Larne camp are their manager Tiernan Lynch, captain Cian Bolger, midfielder Jordan McEneff and owner Kenny Bruce.

Voice of Shamrock Rovers and one of Ireland's finest commentators Con Murphy joins us to give us a look into how the visitors will be approaching the game.

Plus we hear from Thomas Stewart, who had the privilege of winning silverware for both clubs during his playing career.

Kirk Millar, Curtis Allen and Mark Stafford join Michael Clarke to discuss life at their respective clubs and what they're hoping to achieve this season.

Millar reflects on a decade since re-joining the Blues, playing for David Healy, the forward he most enjoyed finding and Loughgall this weekend.

Allen opens up about what he'd like to do after he retires, his mentality when it comes to setting and scoring goals and the impact new manager Stephen Baxter has already made.

Plus Stafford shares his thoughts on the Championship, an impressive win over Bangor, lessons learned at Windsor Park and his early impressions on life as manager at Ferney Park.

It's a results business. For table-toppers Ballymena United, whose impressive winning streak started against Glenavon, this weekend is about trying to ensure their run isn't ended by the Lurgan Blues. Joining us from the Sky Blues is former Northern Ireland international Danny Lafferty, who was one of their summer recruits.

After a bumpy patch of three defeats in all competitions, Crusaders have responded with three consecutive wins across the league and Co. Antrim Shield and have been helped by the goals of defender Jarlath O'Rourke who chats to us about their recent performances and a second match of the week against Linfield.

Whilst for Newry City, a poor start to the season has seen a managerial change. Darren Mullen brought a great deal of success in his previous tenure, so can lightning strike twice? He discusses why he said yes to a return to the Showgrounds dugout.

This week Michael is joined by Larne striker Matty Lusty, Carrick Rangers midfielder Seanan Clucas and Coleraine defender Dean Jarvis.

Michael speaks with Larne first team coach Gary Haveron ahead of their massive match against Lincoln Red Imps for a place in the UEFA Conference League.

Whilst the Inver Reds have focused on Europe, Linfield have impressed in the Premiership with 4 wins on the trot. Blues defender Sam Roscoe provides us with an insight into life at Windsor Park, the quality within their squad and across the league as a whole.

Plus Glenavon striker Davy McDaid reflects on helping his new side pick up their first points of the campaign against Coleraine. He discusses a tough start to the season and looks ahead to facing another of his former clubs Ballymena United on Friday.

As Glentoran ready themselves for their 3rd match is 6 days we chat to forward Jordan Jenkins, who opened his account for the season at the weekend.

Cliftonville's Conor Pepper helps us preview the North Belfast derby, with both clubs coming into the game with 100% records.

Plus Saturday marks the start of a new PIL season and for Oxford Sunnyside it is their first time competing in the NIFL pyramid. Irish League stalwart Peter McCann, who is a player/coach at Knockramer Park, joins us for a chat.

Coleraine boss Dean Shiels discusses their transition to full-time football, new Portadown 'keeper Aaron McCarey prepares to face former club Glentoran and we ask Dean Smith if his Loughgall side can build on an impressive first season back in the top flight.

Michael is joined by Crusaders manager Declan Caddell who is preparing for his first season in charge, Paul Heatley who reversed his retirement decision to sign for Carrick Rangers and Ballymena United boss Jim Ervin who has bolstered his squad in a bid stave off a repeat of the relegation battle they endured in the previous campaign.

Keith Bailie joins Michael for a recap of a dramatic end to the domestic campaign, we chat to Irish Cup winner Chris Curran who announced his retirement after Cliftonville's victory last weekend and Jordan Owens reflects on firing Crusaders into Europe with a stoppage time winner in the play-off final.

Our guests on this week's episode are all getting their hands on league-winners medals for the first time in their careers this weekend.

From Larne we speak to Chris Gallagher, Brandon Diau joins us from Portadown and Limavady Utd are represented by Ruairi Boorman.

Like most successful people, their stories involve hard work and difficult decisions but it's paid off for them.

Larne's Andy Ryan and Institute's Shaun Leppard have both received Player of the Year nominations in their respective leagues, they join us to discuss their season's to date and remaining goals. Larne need would clinch the title with a draw on Monday, whilst 'Stute could leap as high as 2nd with a win on Saturday.

We also hear from Michael O'Neill, Gareth McAuley and Stuart Dallas following the U19 Euros draw earlier this week, with the tournament to be staged in Northern Ireland this July.

Our guests this week all took part in matches that grabbed the headlines and got tongues wagging last weekend.

Stewart Nixon scored a late winner at Inver Park for Crusaders, which sent shockwaves through the title race, and he's hoping they will carry that momentum into their match tonight against Linfield.

We chat to Steven McCullough who kept his cool to slot away a winning penalty for Ballymena United at Loughgall to boost their survival hopes and we catch up with defender Nathan Kerr whose Annagh Utd side will have a big say in how the 5-way Championship promotion battle pans out.

Sean Ward discusses his hopes to finish the season on a high with Glenavon as he nears retirement this summer, could they mount a late push for a European play-off spot?

Elsewhere it's change at the top of the Championship, journalist Barry Flynn analyses the hopes of those pushing for promotion and we're joined by Bangor's Scott McArthur who is determined to get back to winning ways this weekend to keep their Premiership dream alive.

The final four teams in the Irish Cup are the top four teams in the Premiership table as things stand. Joining us to preview Glentoran v Linfield and Cliftonville v Larne is Niall McGinn, Kyle McClean, Jonny Addis and Jaziel Orozco.

Glentoran's new caretaker manager Declan Devine joins Michael to discuss his goals between now and the end of the season.

Plus we speak to Scott Irvine about Carrick Rangers' aspirations and journalist Mark McIntosh helps us preview Northern Ireland's upcoming friendly fixtures.

Michael is joined on this week's show by Coleraine's Stephen Lowry, Loughgall manager Dean Smith, Newry City's Fra McCaffrey plus we hear from Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill.

Michael is joined by journalist Stuart McKinley to preview Sunday's League Cup final at Windsor Park and we also speak to players and managers from both clubs involved.

Linfield are represented by boss David Healy, Daniel Finlayson and Chris Johns, whilst Lee Chapman, Gary Thompson and Niall Currie provide a Portadown perspective.

Glentoran striker David Fisher joins Michael to discuss life in Belfast, their upcoming match against league-leaders Larne and his Irish Cup aspirations, we find out the inside scoop on the Coleraine takeover from journalist Damian Mullan and Annagh United boss Ciaran McGurgan is plotting a strong conclusion to the Championship season as they target a top-half finish.

Cliftonville assistant manager Gerard Lyttle, Carrick Rangers midfielder Andy Mitchell and journalist Mark McIntosh join Michael to discuss what should be a thrilling conclusion to the Premiership season. With just 10 games to go, any slip up could prove costly and every side still has something to strive for.

Journalist Keith Bailie chats us through Northern Ireland's Nations League draw, Ballymena United 'keeper Sean O'Neill speaks ahead of crucial bottom two clash away to Newry City and Jim O'Hanlon discusses a tough season for Warrenpoint Town, as they look to breathe life into their promotion bid when they face PIL leaders Limavady United.