Nothing different was expected this year as Barry Doyle vacates the chair to go forward to be president-elect of the Union nationally and the officers nominated honorary secretary Fintan Buckley to succeed him.

But Buckley, of Hermitage Golf Club, is being challenged by Paul Smyth from the neighbouring Lucan Golf Club. Smyth is, of course, a past honorary secretary and past secretary of the Branch. So, with two hugely quali"ed candidates, the delegates to the meeting at Westmanstown have quite a problem to address.

Chairmanship moves were the centre of attention in Munster this week also, as Billy Murphy of Fermoy vacated the chair for personal and private reasons. He was succeeded by honorary secretary Sean McMahon of Adare Manor.