What a weekend of sport we have ahead of us. From Ireland versus Belgium, to the rugby lads looking to repeat last weekend’s heroics in South Africa, to Rory McIlroy’s pursuit of the US Open in Oakmont. It’s non-stop.
Saturday
For the early-risers on Saturday Sky Sports 1 will begin their rugby coverage at 8am with Wales and New Zealand’s second test at 8.35am before round two of England and Australia at 11am.
At 10.45am the Irish cricketers look to bounce back from Thursday’s 76-run defeat to Sri Lanka with the two teams meeting again for the second one-day international in Malahide.
The big one on Saturday of course is Ireland’s second Group E game against Belgium in the European championships. Ireland are looking to put more points on the board following Monday’s 1-1 draw with Sweden, up against the group favourites. That kicks-off at 2pm with RTE beginning coverage an hour in advance.
Then after that concludes, hopefully with a positive result in the bag - the attention turns to Johannesburg where Joe Schmidt’s rugby team are looking for back-to-back victories over South Africa. The second Test of the three Test series kicks-off at 4pm, with Sky Sports coverage beginning at 3.30pm.
Also at 4pm TV coverage of the third round of the US Open begins - with Ireland represented this weekend by Rory McIlroy, Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell.
At 5pm then the second Euro 2016 fixture of the day sees Iceland take on Hungary (TV3), while at 8pm there's the more glamorous fixture between Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal and Austria (RTE 2).
Cushioned between those, and with enough breathing space between the rugby in South Africa - Western giants Galway and Mayo meet in the Connacht SFC semi-final. Throw in for that is at 7pm with coverage on Sky Sports 3 starting from 6.30pm.
Also on Saturday (not on television) there’s the start of the football qualifiers with Laois and Armagh meeting at 3.30pm, Louth travelling to Derry at 5pm and then at 7pm Carlow host Wicklow.
Sunday
There's no let up on Sunday either, the Baku European Grand Prix is live on Setanta from 1.55pm. Nico Rosberg versus Lewis Hamilton in the first ever Formula One race at Baku.
Shortly after that, at 2pm - the Ulster semi-final between Tyrone and Cavan gets underway. RTE begin their coverage of that clash at 1.40pm and carry on right through to the Munster hurling semi-final between Limerick and Tipperary. (Throw in 4pm).
The rest of the day’s GAA action includes the Leinster hurling semi-final between Offaly and Galway in Portlaoise (3.30pm).
While in the football qualifiers Waterford travel to Carrick-on-Shannon to play Leitrim. Neither are on TV, but highlights will be on the Sunday Game at 9.30pm.
The final round of the US Open is live on Sky Sports 1 from 4pm, running through ’till after midnight as we watch and see who can capture the second major of the year.
The pre-Wimbledon action in Queen’s also concludes on Sunday - with the final live on BBC 1 from 2pm, before switching over to BBC2 for the final hour and a half.
Sunday’s two Euro 2016 fixtures both kick-off at 8pm. Hosts France look to continue their 100 per cent record against Switzerland while fellow Group A teams Romania and Albania also meet.
To wrap it all up then, late on Sunday/early Monday morning - the Cleveland Cavaliers play the Golden State Warriors in the NBA finals Game Seven decider. That's on BT Sport 1 from 0.30am. With LeBron James on the cusp of a third championship - and a maiden title for his hometown team.
Remember Damien Cullen's 'Handy Guide to Sport on Television this Week' - can be viewed every day on irishtimes.com/sport
