Your Guide To A Sensational Week Of Sport
They say a week is a long time in sport – and this one is certainly cramming the action in! From rugby and racing to football and boxing, it’s one of the busiest few days of the entire year; trust us, you’ll be glad to have Bank Holiday Monday to recover!
We’ve broken down what you’ve got to look forward to – and, since it’s St. Patrick’s Week, we’ve tried to put a little Irish twist on things too. Patriotism and prime sporting action in one fell swoop!
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
Starting Tuesday @ 1pm, Virgin Media One, Virgin TV 103
The blue-riband event of the racing year, it will be all eyes on the Cotswolds as the finest athletes on four legs line up for the Cheltenham Festival. There’s four full days of equine action to look forward to, culminating in the Gold Cup on Friday; the likes of Presenting Percy and Willie Mullins’ pair Kemboy and Bellshil will fly the flag for Ireland, attempting to upset home hopes Clan Des Obeaux, Might Bite and last year’s winner Native River (below).
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
Tuesday & Wednesday, Virgin Media One/Virgin Media Sport, Virgin TV 103/450
OK, putting an Irish slant on this one ain’t easy – Liverpool’s third-choice keeper Caoimhín Kelleher is from Cork, will that do?! The Reds have plenty of work to secure passage to the next stage following a 0-0 draw with Bayern in Anfield; the same mid-point scoreline as the other tie on Wednesday, Barcelona v Lyon. Tuesday, meanwhile, will see Manchester City attempt to follow their cross-town rivals into the quarter-finals, hosting Schalke with a one goal advantage. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, will have his work cut out to drag Juventus back from a two-goal deficit against Atlético.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING
Friday @ 11pm, Sky Sports Action, Virgin TV 403
For the weekend that’s in it, a pair of green-gloved heroes will take to the ring in the early hours of Saturday morning. Katie Taylor looks to add another title to her already impressive collection against WBO lightweight queen Rose Volante, moving a step closer to fulfilling the dream of unifying all four belts. Jono Caroll, meanwhile, is chasing a first taste of global glory, chalengiong Tevin Farmer for the IBF super-featherweight strap. Throw in the likes of John Joe Nevin also fighting on the card and you’ve got a night that’s definitely in the national interest!
GUINNESS SIX NATIONS
Saturday @ 11.30am, Virgin Media One, Virgin TV 103
We’d always harboured hopes that the Grand Slam would be on offer in Cardiff; only problem is that it’s not Ireland chasing it! Instead it’s the Welsh who have an unblemished record; Ireland would need a win, complete with an unlikely English slip-up against Scotland, in order to top the table. We ease into the day with Italy v France, before eyes turn to the mammoth Millennium Stadium showdown. To add extra spice to the clash, an Irish win would open the door for England to take the Championship with a win in Twickenham. It just wouldn’t be the last day of the Six Nations without fireworks, would it?!
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