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It has been another week of moving and shaking in the IFA.
Nominations for the positions of deputy president and the four regional chairs close in just under two weeks and hopefuls are starting to make their moves.
The main developments came, largely, in Munster. Current and outgoing deputy president Tim O’Leary announced at the Cork central executive on Monday night that he was not going to stand for re-election.
At that same meeting, former Barryroe chair Johnny O’Brien announced his push for Munster regional chair with near neighbour in Cork north John Coughlan also confirming his intention to run.
Backing
Those running for the Connacht regional chair must receive the backing of their own county executive as well as one other county executive from the province. For the other provinces, the candidate must receive the backing of their own county as well as two other county executives.
In the deputy race, Nigel Renaghan remains the only declared candidate but strong sounds are coming out of Tipperary north, where Tim Cullinan is thought to be keen on the role.
The runners and riders, so far
Deputy president
Confirmed: Nigel Renaghan. Co Monaghan man and IFA poultry chair Nigel Renaghan remains the only declared candidate in the race for the second-highest job in IFA. Renaghan had secured enough support to run for president but pulled out of the race at the 11th hour.
Rumoured: Tim Cullinan, Pat Farrell, James Brady, Tom Doyle, Richard Kennedy and Donal O’Brien. A crowded field of undeclared candidates. Cullinan (current Tipperary north chair and former pigs committee chair) is understood to remain interested in the role but has not yet made up his mind. Like Renaghan, he was in the race for president but also pulled out. Outgoing Kildare chair Pat Farrell is keen on the role but is also thought to be looking at the south Leinster job. Limerick men Kennedy and O’Brien are in a straight shootout there while Joe Brady from Cavan is thought to be looking at the job. Tom Doyle was proposed by his native Wexford but may not take up the nomination. Outgoing deputy Tim O’Leary confirmed on Monday night that he will not be seeking re-election.
Connacht regional chair
Confirmed: Padraic Joyce. Joyce has received the nomination from his native Mayo and is the only confirmed nomination thus far.
Rumoured: Another crowded field. Incumbent chair Tom Turley wants to finish his term but is being challenged in his native county by Bertie Roche. One of the two men will be nominated on Thursday. Over in Roscommon, there are a massive six interested candidates – John Hanley, John O’Beirne, Bernard Donohue, Louis Martin, Donal Greene and Frank McKiernan. A decision will be taken at next week’s executive meeting. It will then be up to Sligo and Leitrim to see who they back to run.
North Leinster/Ulster
Confirmed: Bert Stewart. Co Monaghan farmer Stewart is the current sitting chair for the region and, like Turley, he wants to finish his term.
Rumoured: As it stands, Stewart is the only declared or interested candidate but that could change.
South Leinster:
Confirmed: James Murphy. Murphy, like his colleagues Turley and Stewart, is keen to finish his term.
Rumoured: Pat Farrell. Co Kildare IFA chair Pat Farrell is said to be looking at this role as well as the deputy position. Farrell is weighing up his options but Murphy has good support.
Munster
Confirmed: Johnny O’Brien and John Coughlan. O’Brien was nominated at the Cork central IFA executive meeting on Monday night while Coughlan will be ratified on Thursday night. Coughlan confirmed to the Irish Farmers Journal that he intends to run. O’Brien has a strong background, having chaired Ballyroe co-op. Current Munster chair James McCarthy has decided not to contest the election.
Rumoured: Andrew Dundas. Dundas is the outgoing chair of Clare IFA and has been coy on his next move. He is being encouraged to run from inside and outside the county.
IFA presidential candidates interviews:
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