Setanta secures World Cup qualifiers

Setanta Sports has secured the exclusive broadcast rights to nearly all of the 2010 World Cup away qualifiers involving England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.

The rights package includes the exclusive rights to England's away matches in group 6 against Croatia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Andorra, and all of Scotland's away qualifers in group 9. Wales' games in group 4 against Russia, Finland and Azerbaijan will be featured along with the Republic of Ireland's group 8 qualifiers against Bulgaria, Cyprus and Montenegro. Rounding out the qualifying matches are Northern Ireland's group 3 games against the Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia. 72 additional games involving the teams in groups 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9 will also be screened on Setanta.

"We’re excited to be following the Home Nations and the Republic Of Ireland in their quest to reach the 2010 World Cup in South Africa," said Setanta joint chief executive Michael O'Rourke. "This is another massive addition to Setanta’s increasingly strong portfolio of top premium football and proves our commitment to football at every level, not just the Barclays Premier League. This announcement further cements Setanta’s position as a channel no serious football fan can do without."