Holiday events: A mixture of fun and charity events mix with more mainstream sports fixtures over the next few days in an action-laden festive spread. In racing one of the biggest days of the year kicks off on St Stephen's Day at Leopardstown and runs until Thursday.
The timing of the racing during the holiday period ensures one of largest crowds of the year converge on the south Dublin course particularly for the feature event, the Paddy Power Chase, on Tuesday. Racing begins on all four days at 12.25pm.
It is also a busy time of year for Premiership soccer with a full programme scheduled for Monday. The pick of the bunch might be Michael Owen's return to Anfield for Newcastle United's meeting with Owen's former club Liverpool, kick-off 3pm. Also in action are Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal while both Celtic and Rangers are in action in the Scottish Premiership.
On Wednesday the Premiership continues with the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park, and Manchester City meeting Premiership leaders Chelsea.
Rugby also continues uninterrupted with Leinster travelling to Ravenhill Road on Monday for the second Celtic League clash of the season (5pm), while Munster face Connacht on Tuesday at Thomond Park (5.35). Looking towards next weekend, Munster meet Leinster at the RDS on Saturday (1pm) for the big game of the New Year weekend. Ulster travel to the Sportsground in Galway for a 2pm kick-off.
Elsewhere the annual GOAL charity runs take place in at least 30 venues around the country, with the main focus on Belfield. Details of the locations of all the runs are on http://www.goal.ie/fundraising/miles2005.shtml.
In motorsport the St Stephen's Day Challenge and fancy dress parade will take place at Slade Valley, Crooksling, Co Dublin (12pm), while in hockey the Neville Cup final will be played at Serpentine Avenue. The climax game involves home side Pembroke against Three Rock Rovers and begins at 3pm.
