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Kennedy's move opens up race for IFA presidency
RICHARD Kennedy's long awaited bid for the presidency of the IFA could see a Limerick man taking the helm of the 85,000 strong organisation for the second time in a decade.
But even as Mr Kennedy's campaign got underway at a meeting in the Dunraven Arms Hotel this Wednesday night, at least one prominent Limerick IFA activist says he has to remain neutral in the election.
"I have already done ferocious work for John Bryan. I withdrew from that campaign after hearing Richard's announcement but I can't take any further part in the election. I have to remain neutral. Otherwise my credibility would be in tatters," said David Thompson.
The position of the former IFA president John Dillon is unclear. Mr Dillon could not be contacted this week. He was the principal speaker at the launch of John Bryan's campaign nearly two months ago, and has already canvassed in several counties for him. But he told the Limerick Leader three weeks ago that he would withdraw if Kennedy ran.
One Limerick dairy farmer who attended the launch of the Bryan campaign in Kilkenny, the Limerick dairy leader, Mike O'Flynn of Newcastle West has pledged his full support now to Richard Kennedy.
"I went to John Bryan's launch, but I am backing the Limerick man now. I'm giving my full support to Richard. Why wouldn't I?"
Mr Kennedy's candidature has thrown the IFA presidential race wide open. Insiders say that he has an excellent chance of winning based on his record as National dairy chairman over the past four years as well as a lifetime commitment to Irish farming. He also has the advantage of being the only Munster candidate - the other two candidates John Bryan and the current vice president Derek Deane are based close to each other in Kilkenny and Carlow - and he is also the only dairy farmer in the contest, with livestock interests as well.
He's a former national president of Macra na Feirme and farms at Clarina with his wife Helen and son James. Despite all the current woes, he has never lost his faith in the future of dairying and says that his work as national dairy chairman will continue to the end and will not be compromised by his election campaign.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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