RTÉ, Football Association Of Ireland Announce 78-Game Television Deal

RTÉ will show 78 live SSE Airtricity League Premier Division and FAI Ford Cup games as part of a new agreement with the FA of Ireland, which runs until Nov. '18. In addition, RTÉ will broadcast all of Ireland’s matches in the UEFA Euro 2016 qualification campaign, which kicks off on Sunday against Georgia in Tbilisi, and highlights of all home int'l friendly matches. Soccer Republic will also continue to cover domestic and int'l football on Monday evenings (RTÉ). The IRISH TIMES reported the FAI "reached a four year agreement for exclusive live rights in the Republic of Ireland for home friendly matches over the next four years." Setanta will also show 16 live senior women and U21 matches "over the next four years and will become sponsor of the FAI’s Emerging Talent Programme." Setanta Sports "broadcast Ireland friendlies before but this is the first long term deal for Setanta to show home friendlies" (IRISH TIMES, 8/28).