The IFA is set for national elections – of a sort. President Tim Cullinan and deputy president Brian Rushe are required to seek re-election for a second two-year term. They both require the endorsement of their own county executive, North Tipperary and Kildare, respectively, and a further five nominations from county chairs.

With a week to go to the closure of nominations, a challenge to either is still possible.

Derek Deane was reportedly sounding out county chairs in recent weeks. When asked for a comment, he said: “I’m not ruling anything in, and I’m not ruling anything out.” Carlow, Deane’s home executive, has not held its September meeting yet.

In a similar vein, Nigel Reneghan, the outgoing Ulster/North Leinster regional chair, is being linked with a possible run. It’s understood a request for nomination papers for a national position was made on Wednesday.

Monaghan executive has already met for September, and would have to reconvene to ratify Reneghan. That Monaghan meeting endorsed Frank Brady to contest the regional chair position, with Meath’s John Curran also set to be nominated. Separately, the IFA director general Damian McDonald’s five-year contract is entering its final months.

McDonald was appointed to the IFA’s lead executive role in November 2016. It’s understood that his contract runs into early 2022. A renewal would be proposed to the national council by the president and deputy president for their approval.