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.