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My week: Ronnie Whelan

The Liverpool legend manages to keeps his eye on the ball with charity matches and golf

SOFIA FROM THE SOFA

Early start on Saturday morning, not feeling 100%. Have been in London for two nights and probably enjoyed myself too much. Went to Les Miserables and really enjoyed it. You didn't have me down as a theatre person? I went to Miss Saigon two years ago and was hooked straight away.

Arrive at my Dublin hotel at around 1pm and decide to have an hour in bed before going to RTE at five to work on that night's match between Bulgaria and Ireland. My hour in bed is interrupted after 10 minutes as I am called in early to do website work.

A great performance for 35 minutes from the boys in green. Unfortunately, Ireland can't maintain the early good form and do well to hang on for a draw. Still, a World Cup final appearance in South Africa next summer beckons.

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KEEPING FIT

Sunday is always relaxation, sitting around doing nothing, or playing and watching my other favourite sport, golf.

I finally became a single-figure handicapper last year and I am now down to eight. But Alan Hansen told me during a round last week that I am "probably the worst 8-handicapper in the world".

I try to get to the gym a couple of times a week. That plus the golf is meant to keep the pounds off. I really don't like the gym, so just do some stamina work, a bit in the pool, steam bath, and home.

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I KOP OUT

I get a call from Karen Clancy, who does tremendous work for a charity of which I'm the patron in Ireland - Myasthenia Gravis, or rag-doll syndrome. It's a little-known neurological condition which causes severe muscle fatigue. In some cases it can be fatal. My daughter Elizabeth is a sufferer and I try to raise funding every year through golf and other events. Karen mentions a skydive; I quickly pass.

Back on the golf course later, I play in the Ricky Tomlinson Celebrity Golf Day. Ricky was the lazy couch potato Jim Royle in The Royle Family. I meet up with old Liverpool pals John Aldridge, David Fairclough and David Johnson. We reminisce about how good it was in "our day". Must be getting old.

Arrived home to find my stat-pack for the Confederations Cup has arrived so start studying the teams and players for next week's tournament.

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FAT BACK FOUR

Because the football season has ended, I have plenty of spare time. When not playing golf I join with former Liverpool team-mates travelling around Europe playing in charity games.

Make some phone calls to gather a few ex-players for a game that my nephew Gavin and I are putting together in August. It'll be a Liverpool Legends team versus Drogheda. I love playing in these games because it's so funny watching once-great players thinking they still have it - and falling on their faces.

One of my pet hates is shopping but had to go today with my wife Elaine. I need suits and shirts for next week's TV shows and Elaine needs clothes because she is going to New York with my daughter Georgia for her 21st birthday. Funny, really: women going shopping for clothes to go shopping in.

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BUY BUY RONALDO

Wake up to the huge sports news that Cristiano Ronaldo has finally left Manchester United, but for £80m (€94m). I do radio interviews for most of the day, being asked if Real Madrid will win the Champions League .

It is nice to have great players like Ronaldo and Kaka but you need more than that, especially a good defence. I also wonder if Ronaldo leaving will open the way for Liverpool, Chelsea or Arsenal to win the Premier League next season. However, if Fergie spends his £80m wisely, the gap may get bigger. Hopefully not.

Ronnie Whelan is a panellist for the Confederations Cup, which is being broadcast live on RTE television until June 28