Setanta confirma Lynam for Premiership lineup

Des Lynam, James Richardson and Neil Warnock have been added to Setanta’s Premier League presentation team for its coverage of the 2007/08 season.

Richardson joins Setanta as presenter of the Friday Football Show, which begins at 6.30pm on Friday, August 10. The hour-long show will combine interviews with top managers and players alongside the latest football news as it previews the weekend’s action. Robinson will also be the main presenter on BT Vision Sport’s programming which includes all of Setanta’s live Premier League matches.

Lynam will interview key football figures, starting with Martin O’Neill, ahead of Setanta’s first Premier League match between Aston Villa and Liverpool live at 5.15pm on Saturday August 11. The interviews will form part of the Friday Football Show.

Ex-Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock also joins Setanta and will be an on-air analyst alongside lead presenter Angus Scott, and other analysts ex-Liverpool and England player Steve McManaman, Emmanuel Petit, Tim Sherwood and Les Ferdinand. Setanta also recently announced its commentary team of Jon Champion, Ian Crocker, Craig Burley and pitch side reporter Alex Hayes.

Michael O’Rourke, Setanta’s joint chief executive, said: "These three latest signings to Setanta’s on-air team are fantastic news ahead of our debut Barclays Premier League season. We’re delighted Des has agreed to come on board to provide us with his expertise - he will add a touch of the elder statesman to our youthful team and I think they’ll learn from him. Neil will bring knowledge and experience as a Premier League manager, a touch of humour and a healthy dollop of controversy. He’s certainly not afraid to speak his mind! And we all know what a popular presenter James Richardson is. Everyone’s in place now for the start of the season and we can’t wait to get started."

Setanta has also announced its full range of new programming to support its football coverage which includes a 'goals round-up' show on Monday nights, Macca’s Monday Night; Back of the Net on Tuesdays, which as well as Premier League action features highlights from the Clydesdale Bank Premier, Blue Square Premier, Portuguese, Dutch, German and French leagues. Football Matters on Wednesdays will feature Scott and experts discussing the big issues in the game.