And then there were 10.

Brendan Hinchion, Martin O’Doherty and Fintan McSweeney were successfully returned to the board of Dairygold and now one wonders will any of their names be in the mix for either chair or vice chair of the co-op.

Word is that, Hinchion, representing mid-Cork, and Pat Clancy, from the Mitchelstown region but farming on the Tipp side of the border, are the front runners that could emerge.

No doubt speculation will continue over the Christmas break as to who will be putting their name forward with the position to be filled on 3 January. If there is a contest then, the runner-up will have to wait a week before the vice chair seat is filled.

One wonders will there be machinations behind the scenes to see the position of the chair can stay in Cork.