The identity of the next boss of the IFA is still unknown, but it won’t be too much longer.

Interviews are scheduled for next Tuesday 25 October, with a shortlist believed to be of five people lined up.

The replacement for Pat Smith, who departed the IFA last November, will have the title of director general and not general secretary, as it had been previously.

Naturally, the candidates involved are not broadcasting the fact that they are in the running. They are all in important jobs at present, and wouldn’t want any pre-publicity. Only one person will be successful, and the others would rather they were never publicly linked with the job.

That said, I can reveal a little information, based on what I know.

The shortlist, as previously recounted here, contains both internal and external candidates. Of the external candidates, more than one previously worked in the IFA.

At least one of the shortlisted candidates currently heads up a State body. I believe that all of the shortlisted candidates are men.

It’s quite likely that a second round of interviews will be required, perhaps for the final two candidates. And then we’ll know.