Wednesday

SKY SPORTS 1 (3.0 a.m., to Sunday) - Golf: World Matchplay Cham- pionship. For insomniacs and golf nuts, there is through-the-night coverage of the first world championship event of the year. Many of the world's elite players (including Tiger Woods, David Duval, Lee Westwood and defending champion Darren Clarke) may have decided to miss the $5 million event in Melbourne, and the powers-that-be have belatedly acknowledged making a mistake in the timing of the tournament, but there is something about matchplay golf that should still make this a compelling championship. Ernie Els is the top seed in the 64-man field, and Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley are the Irish representatives.

Friday

RTE 1 (9.30) - 2000: The Sporting Year. In the early days of the New Year, the RTE sports team reflect on the highs (many) and lows of the old year from an Irish and international perspective.