Three sporting events to watch this week: Your handy guide to sport on television

The Republic of Ireland women’s side have a crucial upcoming play-off against Kazakhstan, with the first tie in Astana and the return leg at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. If the Irish will make it through, they will face either Belgium or Poland, with the winner of that round travelling to Brazil next summer for the World Cup Finals. – Friday,

The World Championships take place in Hawaii at the weekend – with the men’s and women’s competitions taking place together for the first time in several years. Approximately 3,000 men and women will line-up in Kailua-Kona for a 2.4-mile (3.8km) swim, 112-mile (180km) bike ride, and 26.2-mile (42.2km) marathon run. – Saturday, ironman.com