Nigel Worthington and the Irish Football Association are rubbing their hands at the prospect of a cash bonanza after a new four nations tournament was given the official go ahead yesterday.

Northern Ireland will join Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland in the four associations tournament in 2011.

And Northern Ireland fans won’t even have to board a plane as the action will take place in Dublin with the first two matches being played in February and four more following in May.

The tournament will be on a league basis with the four sides playing for the Four Associations Cup. Matches will be played at the new look Lansdowne Road which is scheduled to be completed in 2010.

It represents the effective re-establishment of the British Home Championship which was shelved in 1984, albeit with the Republic taking the place of England.

Northern Ireland won the last Championship and current boss Worthington has cherished memories of that memorable moment.

“My very first game for Northern Ireland was against Wales in the British Championship in 1984 when we won the trophy and it is a competition which I believe should have continued,” he said.

“It will generate a lot of excitement among the supporters and more revenue will be available to the participating countries.

“The players will also relish the games and, as was the case when we played Scotland recently, there is always an edge to these fixtures. It is disappointing England are not involved as their participation would have added to the excitement but they have their own business to look to like everyone else. But the back-to-back games over a weekend should be competitive and entertaining, just how football should be.”

IFA chief executive Howard Wells said: "This visionary tournament is exciting and provides all four countries with the opportunity of measuring progress in terms of international development.

"For supporters it also provides a real opportunity to see first-class competition live and within easy access. From a commercial and tourism perspective it will provide a showcase for governments to support and market."

Meanwhile, the Northern Ireland Under-17 team defeated their hosts Liechtenstein 1-0 in a European Championship qualifier yesterday. Everton starlet Shane Duffy netted the winner from the penalty spot in the 73rd minute.