Collins secures place on ICMSA National Council
But it took an unprecedented three secret ballots and the drawing of her name out of a hat to secure this important role in the Irish farming organisation hierarchy.
The well known Newcastle West dairy farmer and breeder and exhibitor of pedigree dairy stock has already represented the Association at both county and national level.
So she posed significant opposition to Limerick ICMSA chairman Gerard Quain for the county's sixth seat on the National Council.
Limerick has newly qualified for the extra seat due to an increase in ICMSA membership and levy receipts in the county.
ICMSA Deputy President Jackie Cahill presided over the County Executive's annual general meeting at Adare, at which Mr Quain, from Charleville, was re-elected chairman and Marian Collins was re-elected county secretary.
And outgoing National Council members Donal Hynes, Frank Allen, Michael Doody, Declan Danaher, and Denis Kinnane were also re-elected without contest.
With Quain and Collins nominated for the sixth and new National Council seat, there was a secret ballot of the 18 area delegates attending the meeting, which resulted in a 9-9 outcome.
Following the declaration of the count, Jackie Cahill confirmed that under the rules of the Association, a second ballot was required in the event of a tie.
But the second secret ballot also returned 9-9.
Mr Cahill declared that a third ballot was necessary, but the delegates remained resolute behind their candidates, and the result was once again 9-9.
At this point, Jackie Cahill said that he did not see any point in having a further ballot.
"It is clear to me that the delegates are very determined to elect their candidate and another ballot is unlikely to give a result," he said.
It was agreed by the meeting that the name should be drawn from a hat, and a journalist from outside the county who attended the meeting was called on to make the draw which was how Marian Collins secured her seat on the National Council of one of the main farming organisations.
