Another prospective IFA CEO is no longer in the reckoning. Following the revelation in last week’s Irish Farmers Journal that Rosderra’s James Brady was not pursuing his interest in the position, our intrepid website confirmed on Friday that Teagasc director Professor Gerry Boyle was similarly no longer involved in the process.

It means that the five-person shortlist is now only three-strong at most, as both men were understood to be among the group recommended for interview from the recruitment process that has run in recent months. Final interviews are scheduled for Thursday with the new chief to be presented to the IFA’s executive council next week.

We are now only one week away from the anniversary of the resignation of Pat Smith, on the back of pay allegations that, when confirmed, plunged the organisation into chaos. The expectation is that next Wednesday’s executive council meeting will finally see the vacant position filled.