The inauguration of a new president always lends extra importance to the IFA AGM, but this year was different again. First of all, there was no departing president present. Instead, deputy president Tim O’Leary made a frank parting address that raised a few eyebrows.

There was one election on the day, which saw Jer Bergin retain his post as honorary treasurer/national returning officer. He can surely now be dubbed the great survivor, and remains on the IFA’s executive board.

As a consequence of this outcome, there has been no un-jamming of the Connacht deadlock.

Padraic Joyce, who lost out to Bergin, remains one of the five nominees for the position, with no available nominators for the required second ratification.

Chairs elected

In a flurry of activity prior to the AGM, a plethora of committee chairs were elected. On Wednesday of last week, Angus Woods was elected livestock chair, with Henry Burns, showing class and commitment to the IFA, present to hand over to his successor.

The liquid milk committee elected Galwayman and Aurivo supplier John Finn to succeed Teddy Cashman the same evening. Some conspiracy theorists may see a “Western mafia” in place here, but that’s far-fetched.

As proof, Pat Gilhooloey of Leitrim lost out to Cavan’s Joe Brady. Meanwhile, Martin Stapleton of Limerick succeeded Tom Doyle as the farm business chair.

On Tuesday evening this week, the malting barley sub-committee met to elect a chair. Following two tied votes, the names of John Foley and James Kelly went into the hat. Kelly emerged as the new incumbent. He has been a trenchant critic of Boortmalt, and of the IFA’s closeness to it, in the past.

As a member of not just the IFA but also the Irish Malt Growers’ Association, he brings an interesting dynamic to the chair.

I hear grain committee chair Liam Dunne has enquired as to whether he should have had a vote – it wouldn’t have gone to Kelly.