Setanta nets extension with cross-border football competition

Pay-television broadcaster Setanta Sports has extended its title sponsorship of the Football Association of Ireland and Irish Football Association’s club cup competition until 2016.

Setanta has held the naming rights to the eight-team football competition, featuring four teams apiece from the Irish and Northern Irish top divisions, since its inception in 2005.

Additionally, Setanta will also continue as the competition’s broadcast partner under the new three-year deal.

Irish league champions St Patrick’s Athletic, runners-up Dundalk, FAI Cup winners Sligo Rovers and League Cup-winners and Setanta Sports Cup holders Shamrock Rovers will be joined by Northern Irish Cup winners Glentoran, Crusaders, Ballinamallard United and Coleraine in next year’s event.

Games commence in February over home and away legs before a one-off final match on Saturday, May 10.