From the clash of the ash to the heat of Armenia to scrums in the provinces there’s plenty on offer for sports fans this weekend.
When legendary former Liverpool manager Bill Shankley once said football was more important than life or death he could just have easily been talking about Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling final between arch-rivals Kilkenny and Tipperary.
With the cats looking strong for an unprecedented five-in-a-row it seems fitting that neighbours Tipperary - the proclaimed home of hurling - stand in their way.
Liam Sheedy’s Tipperary, still hurting from last year’s final defeat by five points, have named an unchanged team from their convincing semi-final victory over Waterford.
Brian Cody will name his Kilkenny team later tonight with question marks still hanging over the fitness of Henry Shefflin and John Tennyson.
Clare and Kilkenny open the day in the minor match at 1.15pm before the main event takes place at 3.30pm.
The Republic of Ireland will be hoping to get their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign off to a winning start when they take on Armenia in Yervan at 4pm (Irish time) today.
Giovanni Trapattoni has been bullish about Ireland’s chances of topping a group that includes Russia and Slovakia, but today’s hosts will be no pushover after springing upsets against the likes of Portugal and Poland in previous campaigns.
The rugby season proper also begins this weekend with three Irish provinces kicking off their Magners League season at home.
Ulster, having lost their round one fixture for the past two seasons, face an uphill task as they take on reigning champions the Ospreys tonight at 7.05pm in Ravenhill.
Last year’s runners-up Leinster face a trip to Glasgow against the Warriors. The blues lost their final two away games last season but have defeated Scottish opponents in four of their last five encounters. The game kicks off at 7.05pm in Firhill.
Tomorrow Connacht has a slightly easier fixture on paper as they take on the Newport Gwent Dragons. With the last four encounters between the two team won by the home side, Connacht will hope that run continues when they kick off at the Sportsground at 5.30pm.
Also tomorrow Munster takes on new Italian side Aironi Rugby. Munster will be hoping to start the season by putting the four successive defeats at the tail end of last season behind them. Having won their nine previous encounters against Italian teams in all competitions the Magners League newcomers could be in for a torrid time when the game begins at 7.30 in Musgrave Park.
Elsewhere, Stradbally, Co Laois, is the place to be for music lovers as the ever popular Electric Picnic kicks off today.
With 30,000 people walking, cycling, driving and even flying to the event expect delays on all routes approaching the site. The Tour de Picnic also sees 1,000 cyclists heading from Tallaght Stadium to the picnic to raise funds for the Temple Street Children’s Hospital.
According to Jim Carroll in today's edition of the Ticket if you are going to Stradbally then make sure to check out the following 10 acts: Janelle Monáe, Omar Souleyman, Fever Ray, The National, Robyn, The Frames, Gil Scott-Heron, Public Image Limited, Two Door Cinema Club, and LCD Soundsystem.
The recent good weather looks to be finally coming to an end, however, with widespread rain predicted for tomorrow. Sunday is expected to be most dry with some showery rain in places. It will be warm and humid with maximum temperatures of 17 to 21C.