Talks fail in Cork players dispute

The impasse between Cork senior players and the county board continues after 18 hours of talks wound up on Saturday night. A number of details agreed between the sides haven't been sufficient to persuade the players to abandon their refusal to play under new football manager Teddy Holland.

According to county board sources, the players were looking for Holland's resignation and a place on the county executive for a players' representative. The first demand was declined as, among other considerations, it might trigger legal issues relating to the defamation of Holland, whose appointment was made in accordance with procedure, and the second because it would require a change to the Official Guide, which the county board wasn't in a position to offer.

The talks, facilitated by Labour Relations Commission chief executive Kieran Mulvey, broke up on Saturday night at 9.30pm.

Among the items agreed by the parties during those talks were a non-voting place on the county board for a players' representative, a consultative committee to deal with all issues of contention between the parties, a relationships review body to address the lack of trust between the players and officials and a players' representative on a sub-committee choosing future managers.

This would be in place in time for the selection of the next hurling manager and, once reviewed, would be replicated for the football team in time for the beginning of the 2009 season.

Players' sources deny they have been seeking a place on the executive as well as the departure of Holland.

Their argument is that should they make what they view as the significant concession of agreeing to Holland's appointment for the 2008 season, they would seek a significant response, in this case representation on the county executive or an agreement to consider such an initiative given it isn't provided for in the rule book.

Despite the deadlock Mulvey remains available should the parties decide to re-engage, but only on condition that the position materially and significantly changes on either side.

Better news came with the weekend decision of Central Council to buy some more time in the drawn-out argument. With the opening weekend of the NFL due in five days, the immediate pressure has been lifted by the decision to postpone Cork's football clash with Meath - rather than award the match - if the county cannot confirm its participation by midnight tomorrow.

Effectively this means that the parties have a further fortnight to see if a solution can be reached.

Meanwhile, the Disputes Resolution Authority have adjourned the case brought by the pressure group Of One Belief, which argues the Government awards scheme for intercounty players is contrary to amateur status provisions of the Official Guide.

The issue must now wait until after April's annual congress.