The race for the next IFA president may be 16 months off, but The Dealer hears that one of the great personalities of the organisation is testing the water.

While well-known north Cork pig farmer Pat O’Keeffe has not made an announcement regarding his presidential intentions, it is widely rumoured around north Cork that he is considering a tilt at the IFA’s top job.

And who would bet against the Mitchelstown native if he decides to throw his hat in the ring?

ADVERTISEMENT

O’Keeffe is a very successful farmer (pigs and dairying), is extremely savvy politically, can talk to farmers across the breadth of all the enterprises and, crucially, is well liked.

In addition, he has served at senior level within IFA both nationally and locally, and also did a decade on Dairygold’s board. God only knows whether O’Keeffe could win an IFA presidential race, but the election won’t be dull if he decides to have a ding.