The record-breaking deal - exclusively revealed by the Belfast Telegraph yesterday morning - will net the Irish Football Association more than £10m over the next four years.

That's roughly five times what the Association's existing contract with the Beeb, which expires in November, was worth.

The Sky deal, which covers the 2010 World Cup and 2012 European qualifying campaigns, also includes provision for the live screening of major Irish League games from next season, including the 'Big Two' Boxing Day encounter between Glentoran and Linfield at the Oval.

IFA officials are delighted with their multi-million pound windfall - but BBC Northern Ireland are furious that the deal was done before they had a chance to improve their own offer.

They are also livid that they heard about the coup from the Belfast Telegraph - and not from the IFA themselves, who held a press conference alongside the satellite broadcaster to announce the news at lunchtime yesterday.

Radio Ulster's Talkback presenter David Dunseath yesterday described the deal as "a kick in the teeth for the BBC", who had covered Northern Ireland matches during the lean years before the arrival of manager Lawrie Sanchez pushed the team way up the world rankings.

BBC NI clearly believe that Sky are jumping on the bandwagon with Northern Ireland now top of their Euro 2008 qualifying group and a big box-office draw.

It's highly unlikely that the Beeb could have matched Sky's eight-figure offer, but they are clearly annoyed that they were denied the opportunity.

BBC Sport executive producer Shane Glynn said: "I'm very disappointed about what has happened and the way it was handled.

"We had been in negotiations with a representative of the IFA and were due to meet him again next week, when we would be putting in a firm, substantial offer.

"We were not made aware of Sky's formal offer; at no stage were we told it was on the table. We were not given an opportunity to table a counterbid."

Mr Glynn added: "I'm gutted for the sports department, who have put in tremendous efforts covering Northern Ireland's matches over the last few years.

"I heard about this deal third- hand on Thursday night and had to seek clarification."

IFA chief executive Howard Wells admitted that the BBC had not been informed of the deal - but blamed that on the leak to the Belfast Telegraph.

"We were going to tell the BBC on Thursday night but, unfortunately, it got to the media first," he said.

"I was in Geneva on business until late at night and informed the BBC as soon as I could but, because of the leak, they already knew."

Despite the frostiness between the two organisations, the IFA and BBC will still have to sit down and negotiate a much lesser deal for televised highlights of Northern Ireland's games.

The Association's president, Jim Boyce, denied money had been the sole consideration in the decision but added: "we have to realise that we are living in a commercial world".

"For this association to go where we all want it to go, money is a very vital ingredient," he said.

"A sensible person will realise that this is being done in the interests purely of the Irish Football Association but, more importantly, in the interests of football at all levels in Northern Ireland."

The deal is likely to bring to an end the IFA's controversial ban on Sunday football, although Mr Wells said it was "not an insistant" of the contract with Sky.

The matter will be discussed at the IFA's next annual general meeting in the summer.

Northern Ireland is the only country in western Europe which forbids football being played on the Sabbath, and their rules have been deemed illegal by world football's governing body FIFA.

Mr Wells also said that the Sky money would give the IFA more bargaining power in their efforts to hold onto Sanchez, who is currently being tempted by a Premiership job at Fulham.