Discussions between the Cork executive and the county's striking footballers and hurlers continued late into last night in the Silver Springs hotel in Cork city.

With this meeting over-running its time by nearly an hour, further discussions between the players' representatives and the rest of the county panels were pushed back until even later, and it was after 10 o'clock by the time the players met among themselves.

During the players' own discussions there was some shuttle diplomacy as clarification was sought from the executive on certain matters.

According to those present, the players left the first meeting in relatively buoyant humour and it was being speculated that the strike would be called off.

The length of the discussions came as a surprise to observers, who had been confidently expecting a resolution of the dispute.

Earlier in the day indications were positive that a breakthrough would be made in relation to the controversy that has shaken the Cork GAA and the association nationally. One players' source suggested that the issues involved were "85 per cent" resolved.

Among those issues believed to have been nearing resolution were those concerning ticket allocations, mileage and compensation for time lost at work.

How the last issue was to be sorted out in the light of GAA policy on amateurism hasn't as yet emerged.

Fifteen people attended the meeting, five from each of the county panels plus five officers.

The footballers were dual player Diarmuid O'Sullivan, Colin Corkery, Ronan McCarthy, Ciaran O'Sullivan, Joe Kavanagh and Conrad Murphy, who temporarily boosted the football delegation to six until Corkery had to leave early in order to fulfil a prior engagement to present medals in Clonakilty.

Representing the hurlers were: Joe Deane, Donal Cusack, Seán Ó hÁilpín, Mark Landers and Alan Browne.

Executive officers in attendance were county chairman Jim Forbes, vice-chairman Mick Dolan, treasurer Pearse Murphy, county secretary Frank Murphy and county development officer Bob Ryan.

The original hurlers' strike was two weeks old yesterday and has led to major movement on the part of the county executive after months of dispute.

Over the past fortnight there have been concessions on a range of issues, from the resignation of the outgoing hurling selectors to a number of detailed complaints made by the players.

The county footballers followed the hurlers out 10 days ago and stated that, apart from the question of team management, they had the same problems.