Something for the weekend February 7/8

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Donn’s weekly round up of all things sporting on the box.

Soccer
THE transfer window saga is now over and the credit crunch seems to have hit there too. This weekend a few new faces will be on display on our screens and some old too. Saturday kicks off with Man City taking on Middlesboro.

Man City of course will field Irish keeper Shay Given in their squad and this time he might be less busy. In saying that though, City are currently in 10th spot with 28 points and are struggling for consistency. Middlesboro though are worse off. They will arrive at Eastlands second from bottom. Also on Saturday, Portsmouth will entertain Gerrard and Torres. Sorry, I mean Liverpool. Crouch and Pennant will know the score and if Portsmouth can stay awake long enough they should trouble Liverpool. For Liverpool fans, a win over a big team is always greeted by Lucas getting a run, meaning only one thing. A draw. Sunday sees the return of Robbie Keane to Spurs. Lucky Liverpool kept the receipt as he didn’t do exactly what it said on his tin. The Spurs take on Arsenal, who hope to have secured Arshavin by then. The final game on Sunday is West Ham versus Man United. The Reds travel to a defensively strong Upton Park, so that should mean a handy win. Times and channels are below as always.

Sat-7-Feb EPL    Man City v Middlesboro    12.30 Sky Sports
Sat-7-Feb EPL    Portsmouth v Liverpool    17.30 Setanta
Sun-8-Feb SPL    Forfar v Rangers        12.15 Setanta
Sun-8-Feb EPL    Spurs v Arsenal        13.30 Sky Sports
Sun-8-Feb EPL    West Ham v Man U        16.00 Sky Sports

Golf
BEFORE I can mention any golf this weekend, I have to reflect on last. Rory McIlroy won his first title last weekend in Dubai. The young man from Down showed extreme focus and maturity to secure a ranking jump into the top 20. It appears now that Ireland are able to produce world class golfers once again and we all look forward to Augusta in April for the Harrington and McIlroy show. By the way, McIlroy is 12/1 to win the Irish Open this year and 40/1 to win the Masters. That is some achievement. The European Tour is off this week. Overworked?. Stateside is where the action is at, with the Buick Invitational taking place in Torrey Pines. Padraig is flying our flag and is second favourite to win behind Phil Mickelson.
Thurs-5-Feb-Sun-8-Feb    Buick Invitational    Setanta

Rugby
THE Six Nations is back. It all gets going on Friday night as Ireland A get to grips with the England Saxons. Years ago the Ireland A games were often slipped under the radar, but with England already having played a warm up, you can see how important this match will be. Ireland will have some great players on show, including Ian Humphries, Eoin Reddan, Andrew Trimble, Cian Healy and Donnacha Ryan. England will also have some stars on show as Harry Ellis and Danny Cipriani should be the half backs. This game might actually be more entertaining that the game against France on Saturday. Saturday is where the real business gets going. Ireland are at home to France and this season the French are there for the taking. The game is preceded by England versus Italy, which I think might be closer than some people think. Sunday then has us eyeing up our next opponents Scotland. They take on the Grand Slam, Triple Crown and Championships Holders and favourites, Wales. God help them.

Fri-6-Feb U20    Scotland v Wales        19.00 BBC2 Wales
Fri-6-Feb AI    Ireland A v England Saxons    19.30 RTE2
Sat-7-Feb 6N    England v Italy        15.00 RTE/2BBC
Sat-7-Feb 6N    Ireland v France        17.00 RTE2/BBC
Sun-8-Feb 6N    Scotland v Wales        14.30 RTE2/BBC

GAA
THE hurlers of this country are back in action this weekend. TG4 are as usual carrying two games on Sunday. An all Munster clash is first up with Waterford taking on Tipperary. Tipp have already beaten Waterford this season in the Waterford Crystal Cup, but Davy Fitz should have his charges in better shape this time. It’s an all Leinster tie in the second game as Galway, yes, Galway take on Kilkenny for the second time in a week. Kilkenny were too strong last week and should be again this Sunday as Galway missing Portumna players is harder to get over than the cats missing a few Shamrock lads.
Sun-8-Feb    NHL    Waterford v Tipperary 14.30 TG4
Sun-8-Feb    NHL    Galway v Kilkenny    14.30 TG4 (Deferred)

NFL
NOW that the Steelers are confirmed as the greatest franchise in NFL history, the players and coaches all head to Hawaii for the Pro Bowl. It’s a game that sees the NFC taking on the AFC in an all star match up. The coaches all wear Hawaiian shirts, but that is where the lax attitude ends as this game is hotly contested.
On a final NFL note. With the Steelers win last weekend, they became the most successful team in football history with six titles. Considering that it was Super Bowl 44, it just goes to show that the NFL have it right with the salary cap and draft systems they use. Dare I say, that the Premiership in England and the GAA could learn a thing or two.

Sun-8-Feb    NFL Pro Bowl    21.30 Sky Sports