At the IFA’s agm on Tuesday week, 17 January, Damian McDonald will formally step in as director general, while a handful of county chairs will be attending their final event before handing over their chains of office.

In Limerick, Aidan Gleeson is stepping down having completed his four-year term. His successor will be chosen in Feburary.

I’m hearing at least two people are interested in the role – Shay Galvin, currently both county secretary and grain committee representative, and Donal O’Brien. Donal, the Kildimo branch chair, was in the news this week last year, when he was threatening to lead a picket of the IFA’s headquarters in Bluebell unless the entire executive board resigned.

It is still too close to call between Margaret Healy and Chris Hill in Wicklow, and between Edel Gahan and James Kehoe in Wexford.

Brian Treanor in Monaghan is also completing his term.

In Kerry, Seán Brosnan is finishing up as county chair. It is envisaged that he will move over to be the Kerry dairy committee rep.