In a week of encouraging new beginnings for Irish soccer, the National League tapped into the feel-good factor with the announcement at its official launch yesterday that 17 of its matches will be televised through the coming season, which kicks off next Friday, March 10th.

There were positive soundings also with the buoyant international team manager, Steve Staunton, reiterating his intention to monitor closely the burgeoning talent of the National League in light of former Cork City striker Kevin Doyle's rapid rise to prominence at English Championship runaway leaders Reading.

With FAI Cup and Setanta Cup matches added, it means a total of 37 games will be screened live or "as live" (deferred) throughout the coming season. Coverage of the league and FAI Cup games marks the second season of a five-year deal agreed by the FAI with RTÉ, Setanta Sports and TG4, which carries an annual prize fund in the region of €450,000.

Live coverage starts with RTÉ's transmission of the Premier Division clash between Cork City and Bohemians from Turner's Cross on Friday, March 24th. RTÉ will broadcast a further four league games towards the end of the season along with the FAI Cup semi-finals and final.

TG4 will screen nine live league games from the end of May through to October along with two FAI Cup quarter-finals.

Setanta will show five live or "as live" matches on consecutive weekends from April 28th in addition to their coverage of 13 live games from their cross-Border competition.

The cameras won't be the only focus of attention on the domestic game as Doyle's swift emergence has rekindled the interest of scouts from British clubs in the senior game in Ireland.

Staunton acknowledged the increased professionalism of the National League and its potential to produce players of a standard that would warrant selection for the senior international team.

"I think the league has improved no end," said Staunton. "The move to summer football has helped because managers can get a better standard of player. You can see it's a much better league and it's getting better."

Bohemians striker Stephen Ward, whose winner against Sweden at United Park on Tuesday was his third goal for Don Givens's Irish under-21 side this season, is the latest player to attract interest from cross-channel clubs.