Fields forming in various IFA elections

Derek Deane continues to seek entry to the IFA presidential election. To date, the IFA has not responded to his call for an emergency meeting to discuss the issue.

“I would have preferred to have a separate meeting of the executive council to discuss this important issue, but I will raise it at our next meeting,” he said, speaking to the Irish Farmers Journal on Wednesday morning.

Deane’s hopes now rest on whether Tim O’Leary has withdrawn or not. Brian Treanor, the Monaghan chairman, made the offer to support Deane on the condition that O’Leary had withdrawn.

The deputy president has said at all times that he remained in the race right up until the deadline of 5.30pm last Wednesday.

As reported last week, both men were deadlocked with five nominations each, one shy of the required six. With neither withdrawing, no vote shifted.

Campaign teams

Meanwhile, the three ratified candidates are putting their teams in place. Joe Healy will have Anne Mitchell as his campaign manager. Mitchell is on the farm family committee, and has served as secretary of the Suffolk purebred society.

Former Farming Independent editor, and former Irish Farmers Journal journalist Declan O’Brien will be his media adviser.

Flor McCarthy will have Kerry County chair Sean Brosnan as his campaign manager, with national forestry chairman Michael Fleming as a key member of the team.

“I’m thinking of doing my own PR, people don’t want spin any more,” said McCarthy. “I want to take the views of members I meet on board and represent them in what I say.”

Henry Burns will have Francie Gorman as his campaign manager. Gorman is currently the vice county chair and serves on the farm business committee. County chairman Pat Hennessy will also be a key adviser and member of the team.

Deputy president

At this stage, Nigel Renaghan is the only candidate in the race. He won’t stay lonely for long. There are a host of people being linked with the position. Firstly, current deputy president Tim O’Leary can stand for a second term. Tim, as we all know, narrowly failed to get into the presidential race last week.

As of now, he has made no decision on whether he will enter the contest. A Munster candidate is sure to emerge should O’Leary decline the option. Richard Kennedy from Limerick, who ran for president in 2009, emerged as a potential candidate on Wednesday. Among those namechecked are Sean O’Leary in Cork and Tim Cullinan in Tipperary.

Wexford nominated Tom Doyle for deputy president on Monday night. The current Farm Business chairman has not decided whether to accept the nomination.

Next Monday, Kildare meet, with chairman Pat Farrell – one of the “gang of four” who moved a motion of no confidence in Pat Smith last January – being asked to consider either the deputy presidency or the regional chair for South Leinster.

Moving back to the North Leinster/Ulster region, there is support in Cavan for Joe Brady to run for the deputy presidency.

The Cootehill farmer is currently on the rural development and the rules and privileges committees. He has previously served as Cavan county chair and as vice president for Ulster/North Leinster.

Connacht

The Connacht battle for the regional chair will be fascinating. In Galway, Tom Turley, the incumbent, was opposed by Bertie Roche, currently on the Environment committee. Galway will vote on which of these to put forward next week.

Mayo chairman Padraic Joyce is a candidate.

“I hope to receive the nomination of the Mayo executive when we meet next Monday,” he said. Former Roscommon chairman John O’Beirne is also hopeful of being endorsed by his executive on Monday.

The problem is that only two candidates can enter the race-nominations again. Sligo and Leitrim now decide who contests the role this time.

South Leinster

James Murphy was renominated for the regional chair on Monday.

There has been speculation that he might enter the deputy presidential race, but that certainly won’t happen if Tim O’Leary stands. If Murphy were to switch, then Tom Doyle and Pat Farrell are likely candidates. Offaly’s Joe Parlon was interested two years ago, and may be again.

North Leinster/Ulster

Monaghan nominated Bert Stewart to stand for his current position again. Bert is held in high regard through the region and may not be opposed at all. No names are circulating at this time.

Munster

As in other regions, a lot may depend on whether current regional chair James McCarthy runs.

As of yet, Andrew Dundas of Clare is the only name being spoken of, although any of the names being linked with the deputy president could declare for the regional chair instead.