John Dolan: Your hour-by-hour armchair guide to a great day of TV sport
Seamus Harnedy of Cork in action against Sean Finn of Limerick during the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-final match between Limerick and Cork at Croke Park in Dublin. The sides meet at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday. Photo by John Sheridan/Sportsfile
The sporting world is cursed by hyperbole.
So, when I say this is shaping up to be a brilliant Saturday of TV sport, you might be forgiven for treating my claim with an arched brow.
But hear me out... Ireland kicks off the Six Nations against England, Cork's hurlers face off against Limerick, and there is more soccer than you can shake a boot at.
What armchair sports fans need is a plan, and here it is...
Forest is the surprise package of the season, and sit proudly in third spot. However, Brighton are no slouches and, after Forest’s 5-0 slump at Bournemouth last weekend, we are all wondering if the wheels are coming off. This could be an entertaining feast of goals to kick off the day.
The 2025 Six Nations campaign was launched on Friday night when hosted Wales, and the action starts with this clash between the two countries that finished in the bottom two last year. A wooden spoon play-off perchance?
The Anfield team may well be Cork's - and Ireland’s - best-ed club, and they have a handsome six-point lead at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand as they chase a 20th title overall - putting them level with Manchester United. Even so, this trip to in-form Bournemouth will be tricky, and rival fans, at Arsenal in particular, will be hoping Arne Slot’s men can drop points.
Having been denied a historic back-to-back Grand Slam by England last year, Ireland will be out for revenge when they kick off their 2025 Six Nations campaign on Saturday at the Aviva against the old enemy. Can the boys in green win a third successive championship? A win here would give them a great launching pad.
If you're not into the rugby, switch over at half-time at the Aviva for this midlands derby between two teams that are both out of sorts, but usually put on an entertaining show.
Live coverage from the BOX-IT Athletic Grounds as the reigning All-Ireland football champions face Tyrone, who launched their league campaign last week with a win over Derry.
There were fears this hurling match wouldn't be shown on TV until TG4 then GAAGO stepped in. Expect a fine crowd at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh for this clash - last year’s championship encounters between the two will long live in the memory.
At the same time, the football match between Donegal and Dublin is live on TG4.
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