Sky has signed a deal with the Irish Football Association to screen Northern Ireland home international games.

It is understood that BBC Northern Ireland, which currently holds the rights, had been in negotiations with the Irish FA. BBC Northern Ireland's head of sport Mike Edgar told the BBC News website that Sky had "come up with such a huge figure that we wouldn't have been able to match them."

He added: "We also very disappointed with how the issue has been handled. We still have received no formal communication from the IFA which is very disappointing given the long relationship that we have had with them."

The new five year broadcast deal includes live rights to full internationals from May 2008, at least two under-21 international matches per season, and one live Carnegie Premier League match per season.

"Sky Sports are at the cutting edge of sports broadcasting and we are delighted they will be bringing their expertise as a TV partner to assist us in our work, showcasing the game at all levels," said Irish FA president Jim Boyce. "The significant rights fee will also considerably strengthen the Association’s finances as we move forward."

In a statement, Sky Sports managing director Vic Wakeling said: "It's great to be involved when the national team is doing so well. Football fans everywhere are fascinated by what has been achieved here, and we are delighted to be able to take live coverage to a wider audience.

"But our interests in Northern Ireland football go beyond the senior team and reflect what we have done in other parts of the Sky territory. We've had a good response to our coverage of Under-21 internationals in England, the Republic of Ireland, Scotland and Wales. We are confident it will be the same here. I am also hoping that our agreement to cover five Carnegie Premier League matches next season will get a good response.

"So far, in the history of Sky Sports, we have covered non-league football in England and schoolboy football including Victory Shield games involving Northern Ireland. This is another development in our commitment to cover football at all levels, and we hope it helps the League here in their own plans for growth."