Candidates get vote go-ahead

IFA National Returning Officer Seamus O’Brien confirmed last Friday that all three presidential candidates had received the nominations required by the Association’s new rules - endorsement by their own county executive and five county chairmen.

Ruairdhri Deasy has the backing of the chairmen from Tipperary South, Waterford, Offaly, Leitrim and Sligo.

Padraig Walshe has support from Donegal, Roscommon, Longford, Clare and Wicklow.

Raymond O’Malley has been nominated by Monaghan, Cavan, Meath, Westmeath and Wexford.

In the contest for Deputy President, current Munster vice president Donal Kelly, from West Cork, and former national livestock chairman and current Carlow national council representative Derek Deane have been nominated.