The Dealer can confirm that Ger Brickley, currently a key man in the Kepak meat business, is the surprise choice as new chief executive of Bandon Co-op.

A UCC graduate from Whitechurch in Co Cork, he is currently chief operations man for the Kepak meat business and is well regarded in the industry.

Meanwhile, the other well-known Ger Brickley is embarking on a new career in dairy farming with his wife Angela.

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The Laois man retired from the livestock section in Bord Bia last year and has assembled quality dairy heifers ahead of first milking in 2015. A milking robot is planned, I understand.

Prior to converting to dairying, Ger Brickley was a noted Simmental and Charolais breeder, which saw him represent the herd books on the board of the Irish Cattle Breeding Federation (ICBF).

That slot will now be taken by Charolais breeder Martin Ryan, the ex-Irish Sugar man who runs Thurles Mart.