Setanta renews Irish cup rights deal

Pay-television broadcaster Setanta Sports has extended its media rights deal for the Football Association of Ireland and Irish Football Association’s Setanta Sports Cup club cup competition.

The three-year deal will run from 2014 to 2016.

The eight-team, cross-border competition has taken place on an annual basis since its inception in 2005.

The 2014 edition will feature Irish league champion St Patrick’s Athletic, runner-up Dundalk, FAI Cup winner Sligo Rovers and League Cup winner and Setanta Sports Cup holder Shamrock Rovers, as well as Glentoran, Crusaders, Ballinamallard United and Coleraine.

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