Today
RTE 1 (8.0) - True Lives: Football, Faith and Flutes. When first broadcast on Channel Four two years ago, this documentary provoked a furious reaction from Celtic chairman Fergus McCann, who denounced it as "tabloid television" and "a gross caricature of the extremist attitudes" of the Celtic and Rangers' fans featured in the build-up to an Old Firm derby. The makers, on the other hand, insisted it was an accurate but "disturbing examination of religious belief and sectarianism in Scotland".
TnaG (9.0) - Ole, Ole. Highlights of Holland's World Cup qualifier against Turkey in Amsterdam.
Tomorrow
SKY 1 (6.0) - Dream Team. Episode One of Sky's new football drama series, based on a fictional Midlands Premiership team, Harchester Utd.
BBC1 (7.0) - Holiday Memories. Jack Charlton visits Amsterdam 40 years after playing there with Leeds. Was that the last time they qualified for Europe?
SKY SPORTS 1 (7.30) - Live Football: Dumfermline v Celtic (League Cup semifinal). TnaG (10.30) - All-Ireland Gold Hurling: Kilkenny v Tipperary (1991 All-Ireland final)
Wednesday
SKY SPORTS 2 (7.30) - Live Football: West Bromwich Albion v Liverpool (League Cup, third round).
BBC2 (9.50) - The Rugby Club: A Fam- ily Christmas. Part three of the excellent, fly-on-the-wall documentary, which followed Bath in the first season of professional rugby last year. The strain between John Hall (director of rugby) and Brian Ashton (head coach) was already beginning to show in part two. This week things get worse, leading to Ashton's resignation. UTV (10.45) - Granada Soccer Night. Highlights of tonight's League Cup third round ties, including Chelsea v Blackburn.
Thursday SKY SPORTS 1 (10.0) - Live Golf: The Dunhill Cup. Sixteen countries compete in the international team competition at St Andrews where the USA are the defending champions. Coverage continues through the weekend. Colin Montgomerie leads the Scottish team, a week before he is expected to announce whether he will join the US Tour next year. David Feherty, now a commentator on American television, was asked for his views on the Scot last week: "Monty? He's a few French fries short of a Happy Meal." Then Fred Funk gave his opinion of the European number one in Golfweek magazine: "He's the jerk of the world, as far as I'm concerned." And then there was Bob Estes' tribute: "He's a cry-baby". Popular guy. TnaG (10.30) - All-Ireland Gold Football: Down v Meath (1991 football final).
Friday
NETWORK TWO (6.05) - The Grip. Featuring a profile of the Irish under-21 football team and an interview with Billy Bingham.
NETWORK TWO (8.30) - Sideline View. Previews the golden jubilee match between Kerry and Cavan at Downing Stadium in New York.
SKY 1 (10.0) - Extra Time. Any sports quiz that can convince Southampton "hard man" Francis Benali to recite the line "I am very soft and fluffy and made from selfraising flour" is very definitely worth watching. (In case you're puzzled, Benali was describing naan bread in a Guess the Indian Food round). This quiz, presented by comedian Mark Steele and darts commentator Sid Waddell, began life on BBC Radio Five Live, before switching to Sky television.
Saturday UTV (2.15) - Champions' League Special. Previews of next week's Champions' League matches, including Manchester United's game against Feynoord and Newcastle's trip to PSV Eindhoven.
BBC1 (10.50) - Match of the Day. Highlight's of the day's Premiership matches, including the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park.
Sunday
Live Football - CHANNEL FOUR (2.10) - Fiorentina v Roma; SKY SPORTS 1 (3.0) - Spurs v Sheffield Wednesday.
