IFA election too close to call as three contenders ‘neck and neck’

Betting on presidential election suspended after flurry of bets for ‘outsider’ Cullinan

VOTING got underway last night in one of the most important presidential elections in the IFA’s history.

The organisation has been under unprecedented pressure in recent years amid internal strife, breakaway groups and financial problems.

The opening of the polls for 944 branches comes after weeks of hustings around the country and has already been mired in controversy as Paddy Power confirmed to the Farming Independent that it suspended betting on the election over the weekend.

“Tipperary man Tim Cullinan was the outsider in the race according to our odds.

“However, following activity in this market he was cut to favourite before betting was subsequently suspended,” a spokesperson for Paddy Power confirmed.

Cullinan’s status as the outsider of the three candidates surprised some senior figures in the IFA, and informed sources last night said the race was still too close to call with the three candidates said to be neck and neck.

However, one area where there seems to be certainty is that the election turnout is likely to be among the lowest in the association’s history.

Last week, the IFA launched an appeal to its 72,000 members to attend branch meetings and vote to elect a new president and deputy.

The three presidential candidates are John Coughlan from Buttevant, Co Cork; Cullinan from Toomevara; and Angus Woods from Barndarrig, Co Wicklow.

Brian Rushe from Co Kildare and Thomas Cooney from Co Cavan are contesting the deputy president position.