JUST WHEN YOU most need a holiday, another long weekend mercifully comes over the horizon.
What better way to unwind and chill out than to take yourself off the couch and outside to watch some real live sport happening in front of you?
Whether you’re strictly a spectator or keen to make yourself a late entrant, here’s a selection of what’s in store around the country this weekend.
Friday
Cycling: Day two of the inagural To Kells and Back cycle will be taking the riders from Mullingar to Adare. The cycle will continue through the weekend, stopping in Kells and Killarney Co. Kerry before returning to Kells Co. Kilkenny on Sunday.
Running: In aid of the Irish Cancer Society and Cancer Clinical Research Trust (CCRT), the Double D4 Fun Run is a 5k event designed for families in Sandymount in Dublin. Races will get under way at 6.30pm with a barbeque organised afterwards in Merrion Hall.
Football: There are five SSE Airtricity Premier League games kicking off at 7.45pm in Dublin, Cork, and Drogheda tonight. Click here for the full list of fixtures.
Saturday
Swimming: If you’re into open water swimming, then the latest Metalman Swim Series race in Rosses Point, Sligo, is the only place for you this weekend. Race distances of 500 and 1000m will be underway from 11.30am.
Running: The Carlingford 10k will hit the start line at 3pm with P.I.P.S., SOSAD and the Samaritans the causes that are set to benefit.
Whether you fancy running 5k, 10k, half or full Marathon, Tullaroan Co. Kilkenny has them all from 9.30am.
Rowing and kayaking: The tenth annual Ocean to City race will take place in Cork Harbour, with Lapp’s Quay the finish line for An Ras Mor.
Rugby: The RaboDirect Pro12 Grand Final between Leinster and Glasgow Warriors is kicking off at 6.15pm the RDS, but it is all sold out.
Hurling: Mayo host Kerry in the first Christy Ring Cup semi-final at 1pm in Castlebar. And Meath and Kildare will vie for the second final place from 2.30pm in Trim.
Meanwhile, Down host Armagh in Newry in a relegation play-off in the same competition.
Gaelic Football: There’s a Munster SFC semi-final place up for grabs when Limerick host Tipperary at the Gaelic Grounds at 7pm.
Sunday
Hurling: There are three senior Championship matches down for decision on the first day of June. Antrim and Wexford meet in the Leinster SHC quarter-final in Portlaoise at 2pm. That game is the appetiser in a double header, with Laois v Galway representing the main course at 4pm.
Also at 4pm, will be the Munster SHC semi-final between Tipperary and Limerick at Semple Stadium.
Gaelic Football: The Ulster SFC continues with Fermanagh v Antrim at 15.30 in Brewster Park.
Football: Sligo Rovers host Shamrock Rovers in the SSE Airtricity league at 3pm.
Monday
Running: The Flora Women’s Mini Marathon will start at 2pm in Dublin. The 10k course will start and finish on Fitzwilliam Street and is in aid of the Irish Cancer Society.
Not in Dublin? The Summerhill 10 and 4k runs start from 1pm in the Meath town.
Football: The long SSE Airtricity League weekend concludes at 7.45pm with Dundalk v UCD and St Pat’s v Drogheda.
Let us know what we’ve left out here and what you’re going to this weekend?
