FA Cup Final to make a return to Irish terrestrial televsion

TV3 will broadcast this year’s FA Cup Final between Arsenal and Aston Villa - the first time in 17 years that an Irish terrestrial television channel has shown the match.

The Irish channel has secured the rights to show the final for the next four years with this year’s instalment set to kick-off in Wembley at 5.30pm on Saturday May 30th.

Aston Villa players Jack Grealish and Shay Given boost the Irish interest in this year's final as they are both likely to feature.

19-year-old Grealish made headlines today after Martin O’Neill revealed that the Villa playmaker had rejected a call-up to the latest Ireland squad.

TV3 will also broadcast the final in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

TV3 Group Commercial Director Pat Kiely said: “The FA Cup Final has always been one of the biggest events in the football calendar and we are thrilled to make the Wembley occasion available to our viewers.

“The Road to Wembley this year has provided plenty of surprises and the final promises to be a great occasion, with more than a little interest for Irish soccer fans.”