A whopping £10 million over four years.

Much more than any other television company could offer including BBC Northern Ireland, who previously had the rights.

No wonder the Irish Football Association reached for the remote control and turned to Sky Sports.

Sure, there are many viewers who will feel disappointed that Northern Ireland's home games won't be on the BBC from May 2008 onwards for the next four years at least, but as a pure business agreement the IFA could not afford to say no to satellite television.

The IFA have big plans - both in the short and long term - and need finance to support them.

That £10 million will go a long way to helping those particular ideas come to fruition.

The new deal entails:

FULL INTERNATIONALS: All home matches for four years from May 2008, including qualifiers for the 2010 World Cup Finals and 2012 European Championship Finals, plus friendly matches.

UNDER-21 INTERNATIONALS: At least two Under-21 matches each season for four years, from the start of 2008-09 until the close of 2011-12.

PREMIER LEAGUE: Five live fixtures each season from the Carnegie Premier League for five years, starting this August and running until the end of 2011-2012.

BBC Northern Ireland, having covered the international team for more than 20 years, have been left fuming and frustrated by the Sky deal.

The Beeb claim that the Irish FA were due to meet them to discuss a new contract next week.

The IFA say everyone had a fair crack of the whip.

The Beeb know that the jewel in their sporting crown has been lost - between 250,000 and 300,000 viewers tune in to watch Northern Ireland games at Windsor these days.

And now to get any piece of that particular pie, those at Broadcasting House in Belfast will have to bid for a highlights package. UTV may also be interested in that.

As for that £10 million, there are many football fans wondering how it will be spent.

Irish FA President Jim Boyce said: "This is a fantastic deal for the IFA and Northern Ireland football, both in international terms, both at senior level and under-21 level, and in domestic terms. That is very important to me.

"This deal is worth five times the last television contract.

"We have big plans for the future and obviously the money we are receiving with this deal is going to help us achieve those aims."

Those aims include a Centre of Excellence in Northern Ireland for young footballers and ensuring that Windsor Park is fit to play international football in until the new stadium at the Maze is ready.

IFA Chief Executive Howard Wells added: "I think this is great for the Northern Ireland players because Sky will provide them with a much higher profile.

"And as for the financial package, it is excellent for the IFA. It will help us get to where we want to go."

Wells admitted he did not have Sky television at home. That may change now Howard.

Both Wells and Boyce, who must be applauded for bringing this amount of finance to the IFA, were high in praise of Vic Wakeling, Managing Director of Sky Sports, who played a key part in the deal.

Wakeling stated: "We are delighted to have agreed a contract with the IFA to cover Northern Ireland games at Windsor Park, under-21 games and Carnegie Premier League matches."

There is no doubt that the improved fortunes of the Northern Ireland team under Lawrie Sanchez have been the catalyst for Sky's interest.

Wakeling, though, did say that his company would bid again in four years for the Northern Ireland rights even if the team are under-performing. Sky are famous for calling the shots in the Premiership in terms of dates and times of matches.

The IFA will find that out soon enough. As will the Northern Ireland fans.

While it is sad that the national team's home games, which recently have included wins over England, Spain and Sweden, won't be on terrestrial TV for the next four years, you can't blame the IFA for cashing in. What they must ensure is that all the money that has fallen from the Sky is spent wisely.