RTÉ yesterday secured the live broadcast rights to all of the Republic of Ireland's home international matches up until the end of the the 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign for a sum believed to be about 5 million. Emmet Malone reports

The deal looks to be a good one for both parties with RTÉ securing an important contract at a time when it is facing growing competition within its domestic market and the association obtaining substantially increased fees, the last deal was worth about 2.25 million, from what would, in any case, have been its preferred broadcaster.

The new deal will continue the arrangement struck in the aftermath of the controversial deal with Sky TV. RTÉ will broadcast all competitive home games, including any play-offs Ireland end up in, live, while it will carry deferred coverage of friendly games staged here. These latter rights are currently held by TV3 while Sky hold exclusive live rights to friendlies under a contract due to expire in the middle of next year.

Interim FAI chief executive John Delaney described the four-year deal, which begins at the start of 2006, as "a very substantial and significant one for football in Ireland".

The hope is it will be followed in the next few weeks with the announcement of improved coverage for domestic soccer. Setanta Sports, which has already made a substantial commitment, worth some 1.6 million, to the senior club scene here with its backing of the cross-border Setanta Cup, is reported to be interested in regular coverage of the league and cup. However, sources within the FAI said yesterday the organisation is in talks with three broadcasters about the arrangements for next year.

In the meantime Delaney was upbeat about the RTÉ deal in relation to the national senior team, which includes live radio rights. "It's an excellent deal for the FAI, for football and for supporters of the game," he said. "The new agreement will enable the FAI to continue a very significant programme of investment in the game in Ireland and signals a renewed and strong relationship with RTÉ.

"The fee involved is a significant increase on the current arrangement and reflects a very strong market value and improving stature for Irish international football TV rights," he added.

Negotiations over the British rights to Ireland's home games as well as the rights to live coverage of the team's home friendlies during the same four-year period are said to be ongoing. Sky are reported to be interested in renewing their contract, also valued last time around at 2.25 but there is said to be interest from other parties with Setanta significant potential bidders.