With the IFA election field widening, the hurling is bound to get competitive.

It’s good to see that the rulebook for combat has been updated, with a comprehensive draft code of conduct agreed.

It precludes accepting funding from agribusiness and contains a declaration of interests.

Support from politicians is not allowed, nor is support from recently departed (two years) IFA staff.

No rulebook is complete without a strong referee, of course. The referee in IFA is the chair of the rules and privileges committee, who is also the national returning officer.

Tim Cullinan held that office but is gamekeeper turned poacher, being a presidential candidate. His replacement, Richard Kennedy will have his work cut out. Cullinan and Woods have been firing out press releases in recent days.