Here are eight things that we think will be worth making your way towards on the island of Ireland over the course of the weekend. They range from the Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon to Croke Park, County Louth Golf Club, Stormont Cricket Grounds in Belfast and a very special Table Tennis Tournament.
1. Dublin Vhi Women’s Mini Marathon
The largest all-female participation event in Ireland returns to Dublin on Sunday, attracting tens of thousands of runners, walkers and corporate teams. From a sponsorship, health and well-being, and participation perspective, it ticks all the boxes. If you are taking part, good luck to you; if not, it is worth finding a spot to cheer them on and join in the laughter and friendship it generates.
2. United Rugby Championship Quarter Final – Leinster v Lions
Leinster’s knockout URC clash at the Aviva Stadium on Saturday is one of the biggest professional sporting events of the weekend. Connacht and Munster are at the same stage, but with away fixtures. This will be an opportunity for Leinster Players, management and supporters to erase the memory of last weekend’s European defeat in Bilbao.
3. All-Ireland Senior Football Championship
Armagh v Derry, Dublin v Louth, Monaghan v Mayo, and Westmeath v Cavan complete the First round of the All-Ireland Series. The winners will advance straight to a quarter-final; the losers will enter an open draw for a last chance, but it is one where Kerry, Meath, Roscommon and Kildare are waiting.
4. Nickey Rackard Cup Final
The presence of New York in a national final adds an international dimension to the GAA story and underlines the organisation’s global footprint. The game is part of Saturday’s finals programme at Croke Park, taking place before the Dublin-Louth Football match.
5. Dalata Hotel Group GAA Football All-Ireland U20 Championship Final
The U20 final on Saturday offers a glimpse of the next generation of Gaelic football talent and continues to grow in importance for player development and future commercial storytelling around emerging stars. It has been a tournament of high drama, and any meeting of Kerry and Tyrone is worth watching. The game throws in at 17:00.
6. Ireland v New Zealand Men’s Test Match
Ireland’s latest Test cricket match is taking place on Friday and Saturday against New Zealand at Stormont in Belfast. The fixture represents another major step in Cricket Ireland’s efforts to grow the profile of the longest format of the game.
7. East of Ireland Men’s Amateur Open Championship
One of Ireland’s most prestigious amateur golf events runs from Friday to Sunday at the County Louth Golf Club, and continues the strong momentum around the domestic amateur game, which remains a critical part of Ireland’s golf development pathway.
8. Table Tennis – Veselský Irish National Doubles Championships 2026
The 2026 Veselsky Irish National Doubles Championships have been named in recognition of Josef Veselský, who dedicated 107 years of his life to sport, community, and Ireland. It takes place on Sunday, 31 May at South Lakes Leisure Centre, Craigavon.
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