It's not often this column gets an opportunity to say "we told you so", so there was no way we were going to forego the chance to crow about Mick Dawson's appointment as the new chief executive of the Leinster Branch of the IRFU. It is some five or six weeks since we exclusively revealed he had been offered the position.

The Leinster Branch confirmed Dawson's elevation in a statement: "Mick Dawson has been appointed chief executive of the Leinster Branch IRFU. Mick joins Leinster after 20 years with Davy Stockbrokers where he worked on the institutional government bond desk. A keen sportsman, Mick played hooker for Lansdowne, who he joined in 1972. He captained many Lansdowne teams in his playing career.

"Mick then coached Lansdowne's thirds, seconds and under-19s over many years. He also managed Lansdowne's first team for three years. He has been director of rugby at Lansdowne FC for the last three years and has also represented Lansdowne on the First Division Clubs Association of the All-Ireland League. Mick is also a competitive tennis player and is a member of both Donnybrook LTC & Fitzwilliam LTC.

"He has played class one tennis for many years and represented Leinster at a number of different levels. Mick plays 'serious' golf off an eight handicap and has represented Milltown Golf Club in various competitions. He is married to Aileen and has two children - Nicola and Jack. He was educated at the Catholic University School and the College of Commerce, Rathmines."