It's our last show of the year and we bow out with big build up to the Irish Cup Final with the help of guests from finalists Ballymena United and Crusaders, including managers David Jeffrey and Stephen Baxter, plus we do a round-up of some of the other important Irish League stories of the week with journalist Keith Bailie.

The Score NI

The Score - Irish Cup Final Special

We bring you a special with some of the key figures behind Larne's title-winning campaign, chatting to owner Kenny Bruce and players Leroy Millar, Shaun Want, Fuad Sule and Jeff Hughes. We also speak to Crumlin Star boss Paul Trainor after their Intermediate Cup success.

The Score - Inver A Treat

Our guests this week all have reasons to feel a little impatient. Loughgall can't wait to play Premiership football having secured promotion as league winners, Portadown are wanting this tough season to be over but whether it ends on a high note or not remains to be seen and Bangor are bursting with excitement as they are set to be crowned PIL champions. This week we are joined by Loughgall manager Dean Smith, Portadown boss Niall Currie and Ben Arthurs from the Seasiders.

The Score - Are We There Yet?

Will this be the weekend Larne are crowned champions and who will take a step towards grabbing the other automatic European position? Journalist Mark McIntosh discusses this and offers his thoughts on the UK and Ireland bid for Euro 2028. We also speak to Cliftonville captain Chris Curran about reaching 400 appearances for the Reds and Newry City shot-stopper Steven Maguire as they've boosted their survival hopes with back-to-back wins.

The Score - 3 Games To Go

Marcus Kane, Gary Haveron and Matthew Fitzpatrick offer us an insight into how Glentoran, Larne and Glenavon are feeling heading into the post-split games this Easter weekend.

The Score - Good Friday

Who will be booking their place in this year's Irish Cup final? We hear from each of the four remaining teams as they attempt to plot their way to the May showpiece. David McDaid (Ballymena Utd), Andy Ryan (Larne), Dean Shiels (Dungannon Swifts) and Chris Hegarty (Crusaders) help us to preview the games, offer perspective on their seasons so far, assess the post-split fixtures and share stories about teammates from class clowns to teacher's pets.

The Score - Irish Cup SF Special

We step away from the top flight this week to speak to clubs who play in the Championship and Premier Intermediate League. Paul Harbinson joins us to discuss his first season at Dundela, we speak to Richard Clarke about a challenging campaign for Ballinamallard Utd and Barry Johnston reflects on life in the dugout at Lisburn Distillery.

The Score - Around The Grounds

Paddy McNally opens up about a nightmare start to the season and Portadown's mission to escape the drop, we chat to Conor McCloskey about his return from injury and ask if Glenavon's fortunes are turning in time for end of season run-in and Mark Patton reflects on Integrated College Dungannon's Schools Cup final win and tells us how Loughgall are handling their title charge. 

The Score - Mid Ulster Motivations

On this week's show Michael speaks to Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill about his squad selection for the Euro 2024 qualifiers, journalist Keith Bailie shares his thoughts on panel picked to face San Marino and Finland and helps us preview Sunday's League Cup Final and we're also joined by Crusaders' fan favourite Philip Lowry and Carrick Rangers winger Ben Tilney as we look ahead to their next games.

The Score - Decisions and Deciders

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.

The Score - Gunning for Glory

It is a 6-team tussle for the Gibson Cup. Joining us on this week's show we speak to Niall McGinn about his move to Glentoran, relationship with Rodney McAree and what he hopes to bring to the club. Ronan Hale has broken a club record already at Cliftonville, he opens up about a brilliant first season at Solitude and his aspirations for success in north Belfast plus Paul Heatley chats about hitting 200 goals for Crusaders, can the Hatchetmen keep up the pace in the title hunt? We'll get his thoughts on this highly competitive season.

The Score - Milestones and Motivation

Larne legend Jeff Hughes opens up about announcing his retirement and reflects on a brilliant career, Ballymena United's Andy McGrory gives us a perspective on a challenging season that still has rewards in reach for the Sky Blues and Darren Mullen tells us that he hopes their Mid Ulster Cup success can spur on Newry City in their bid for Premiership survival.

The Score - Bigger Picture

Who will make it through to the quarter-finals of the Irish Cup? Joining us on the show we've guests from the top 3 tiers each hoping their side can get the job done. Irish League legend Michael Halliday is on to assess Bangor's chances of staging an upset over cup holders Crusaders, Colin Coates chats ahead of their mouth-watering clash with Coleraine and Ballyclare Comrades boss Stephen Small talks about his return to management and ambitions of edging fellow Championship outfit Institute on Saturday.

The Score - Last 16

Rodney McAree reflects on taking over the manager's role from Mick McDermott at Glentoran, Johnny McMurray opens up about his decision to leave Crusaders and why Warrenpoint Town was his preferred destination plus Stuart King tells us about the milestone he is hoping to achieve with Carrick Rangers this season.

The Score - Piece of Cake

On this week's show we are joined by Jordan Forsythe of Crusaders who talks about his screamer on Saturday and their hopes to continue to climb the table, Paul McElroy discusses his move to Portadown and Newry City skipper Darren King assesses their progress in the Premiership ahead of their game with Glentoran.

The Score - Targets Acquired

The Score NI is a sports radio show from Northern Ireland, hosted by Michael Clarke. Each week we'll bring you an hour of top Irish League discussion and debate with the help of regular special guests.

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The Score NI

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