The Score NI
By The Score NI
Each week we'll bring you an hour of top Irish League news, views and debate with the help of key figures from within NI football.
The Score NINov 16, 2018
The Score - Ending On A High
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.
The Score - Winner's Row
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.
The Score - Nearly There
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.
The Score - Twists and Turns
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.
The Score - Splits All To Play For
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 Score - Irish Cup SF Special 2024
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.
The Score - Devine Intervention
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.
The Score - Change Is In The Air
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.
The Score - BetMcLean Cup Final Special
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.
The Score - Don't Write Us Off
Our guests this week are Aaron Hogg (Portadown), Darius Roohi (Ballyclare Comrades), Richard Gowdy (Newington) and Mikhail Kennedy (Institute).
The Score - Progress Report
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.
The Score - Perfect Tens
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.
The Score - League Goals
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.
The Score - No Quarters Given
Michael speaks to 4 of the clubs vying for a place in the Quarter-Finals of the Irish Cup. Ballymacash Rangers boss Lee Forsythe talks to us ahead of their clash with Premiership giants Glentoran, Rodney McAree discusses his cup aspirations at Dungannon Swifts, Newington boss Paul Hamilton is hoping his team can pull off a shock in Newry and Howard Beverland prepares to face a former club as Bangor go to Portadown.
The Score - Hungry For More
Tomas Cosgrove reflects on scoring the winner as Larne won their 4th consecutive Co. Antrim Shield final, Linfield skipper Jamie Mulgrew talks about reaching 750 games for the club and maintaining standards as they try to reclaim the Gibson Cup, former NI international Danny Lafferty chats to us about signing for Institute and Glenavon's Niall Quinn assesses their hopes for a top 6 finish.
The Score - Silverware in Sight
We're joined by Glentoran and Larne managers Warren Feeney and Tiernan Lynch as they prepare for Tuesday's Co. Antrim Shield final, we'll also hear from Glens skipper Marcus Kane and Larne defender Shaun Want, who are at different stages as they return from injury.
We'll continue the cup football chat with Darren Murphy as we look ahead to the Mid Ulster Cup final and reflect on this week's BetMcLean Cup semi-finals and we'll find out how things are going for him in his current role as Finn Harps boss.
Plus there's Championship discussion with the help of Dundela captain Jay Magee. The Duns are top of the table and head to third-placed Bangor later on.
The Score - January Sales
Plus Barry Gray discusses his decision to leave Warrenpoint Town for the manager's job at Newry City and Zach Barr reflects on his switch to Portadown, who have aspirations to reach the League Cup final and win the Championship this season.
The Score - Wrapped Up For Christmas
Journalist Steven Crawford helps us preview a crucial period in the Premiership and offers his thoughts on some big transfer rumours swirling around ahead of the January window opening.
We catch up with former Irish League star Thomas Stewart to find out how his managerial career in Sweden is going and we also hear from the managers of Crumlin Star and Comber Rec as they prepare for the Steel & Sons Cup final on Christmas morning.
The Score - Festive Fun and Games
Jonny Tuffey helps us look ahead to Crusaders v Larne and discusses his crucial penalty save in their win over Carrick Rangers, Stephen Small discusses developing young players at Ballyclare Comrades and outlines their aims for the campaign, whilst Fra Brennan brings us an insight into life at Ballymacash Rangers as they prepare for a huge Co. Antrim Shield semi-final on Tuesday.
The Score - More of that Please
The Score - Decisive December
Glentoran have reached the Co. Antrim Shield final and are hoping to put a string of results together to climb the league table but face a stern test against Linfield tonight.
Larne face the Blues in a Bet McLean Cup QF on Tuesday but first must navigate a Premiership away day in Ballymena and Loughgall are also on their travels, with a visit to Carrick Rangers coming up before their own QF v Portadown. The Shamrock Park outfit knocked them out of the Mid Ulster Cup earlier this week so revenge is on the menu.
The Score - Positive Strides
Northern Ireland internationals Isaac Price, Dion Charles and Jamal Lewis reflect on a positive end to a challenging Euro Qualifying campaign.
Danny Wallace discusses Glenavon's upturn in form under new boss Stephen McDonnell, Cliftonville's Stephen Mallon opens up about bouncing back from injury hell and Institute boss Kevin Deery chats about what has been a happy return to 'Stute.
The Score - Trust The Process
Journalist Keith Bailie helps us preview those ties and assesses the injury issues that have plagued the squad.
Plus we talk to Irish League managers Rodney McAree (Dungannon Swifts) and Stuart King (Carrick Rangers).
The Score - Midweek Madness
The latest round of the League Cup had one of the longest ever penalty shootouts, upsets and extra-time drama so we've rounded up some of the key protagonists to share an insight into what went on.
We speak to Coleraine 'keeper Gareth Deane, Larne striker Andy Ryan and Portadown midfielder Ryan Mayse.
Plus we are joined by David Kerr from NIFL to discuss his new documentary 'Inside Cliftonville'.
The Score with special guest Andy Waterworth
The Score - Past and Future
On this week's show journalist Mark McIntosh gives his honest assessment on all 12 Premiership clubs and offers his predictions for the weekend and the season as a whole. We also catch up with former Newry City boss Darren Mullen who has helped the club set up a Past Players Association and interim Ballinamallard boss Mark Stafford shares his thoughts on a winning start in the hotseat.
The Score - In The Game
Cliftonville's Rory Hale, Daniel Larmour of Crusaders and new Dergview boss Emmet Friars join Michael on this week's episode, which kicks off with some big breaking news.
The Score - It's Coming Home
The Euros are coming to Belfast in 2028 after the UK and Ireland won the right to host the tournament. We speak to Irish FA Chief Executive Patrick Nelson and journalist Keith Bailie about what this news means for the country, for funding prospects, qualification hopes and we discuss the decision to play games at Casement Park.
We preview Northern Ireland's next two Euro Qualifiers with the help of internationals Dan Ballard and Isaac Price, whilst Paul O'Neill of Larne and Chris Shields of Linfield help to provide a perspective on the latest round of Premiership fixtures.
The Score - Wins Of Change
Goals change games and they can also change seasons. Our guests this week reflect on winning their last two matches and hoping that trend can continue, in the form of Ballymena United boss Jim Ervin and Carrick Rangers forward Danny Purkis.
We also speak to Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill after he named his squad to face San Marino and Slovenia.
The Score - Movin' On Up
Our guests this week are all on the move. Stephen McDonnell is Lurgan-bound having landed the job as new Glenavon boss, Premiership new-boys Loughgall are represented by their captain Ben Murdock who is hoping their upward trajectory can continue and Niall Currie is in a happier place after a recent run of wins has seen his promotion-favourites Portadown climb up the Championship table.
The Score - Forward Thinking
NIFL CEO Gerard Lawlor discusses the league's new 5 year strategy which could see a change to the league calendar introduced, Coleraine striker Andrew Mitchell opens up about why he was out of the game for so long and the relief to be back amongst the goals and Linfield striker Chris McKee reflects on his own excellent start to the season.
The Score - Runs, Rants and Grants
Michael is joined by Ballymena United captain Colin Coates, Jordan Jenkins talks about hoping to make a positive impression at Dundela, journalist Keith Bailie discusses some of the big stories of the week and manager Paul Owens reflects on an impressive start to the season with Limavady United.
The Score - Goals In Mind
The Score - Great Expectations
Glentoran winger Daire O'Connor, Larne 'keeper Rohan Ferguson and Ballymacash Rangers boss Lee Forsythe join Michael on this week's episode.
The Score - Building Something
The Score - Refs, Rules and Reactions
The Score - Ready For Kick-Off
It's the beginning of a new Premiership season and Michael helps get you ready for all of the action by speaking to representatives from each of the 12 top flight teams.
The Score - Irish Cup Final Special
The Score - Inver A Treat
The Score - Are We There Yet?
This week we are joined by Loughgall manager Dean Smith, Portadown boss Niall Currie and Ben Arthurs from the Seasiders.
The Score - 3 Games To Go
The Score - Good Friday
The Score - Irish Cup SF Special
The Score - Around The Grounds
The Score - Mid Ulster Motivations
The Score - Decisions and Deciders
The Score - Gunning for Glory
Jonny Frazer and Chris Ramsey join Michael to preview H&W Welders and Ballyclare Comrades ties in the Irish Cup respectively as they prepare to welcome Premiership opposition in the quarter finals of the competition.
Then we turn attention to next weekend and the League Cup final between Linfield and Coleraine. From the Blues we chat to manager David Healy, defender Daniel Finlayson and midfielder Chris Shields whilst the Bannsiders are represented by their boss Oran Kearney, Lee Lynch and top scorer Matthew Shevlin.