GAA:Cork officials and players are remaining tight-lipped about the potential outcome of this evening's meeting aimed at resolving the dispute over the appointment of team managements.

Neither side in the dispute was even eager to disclose the exact details of the meeting, although county board chairman Mick Dolan last night confirmed it was set for Páirc Uí Chaoimh, and that the main officers of the county board, including himself, would be sitting down with representatives of the hurling and football panels.

Clearly there is a lot at stake, with the Cork senior hurling and football panels still steadfastly refusing to play under their current managers - Gerald McCarthy in hurling, and the newly-appointed Teddy Holland in football.

Yet there is little expectation that the dispute will be resolved this evening, as neither the county board nor the players have so far suggested a possible compromise that would satisfy both parties.

The stand-off has dragged on for over a month, stemming from the decision in October when delegates voted for a new rule which allowed the county board appoint the senior team selectors, taking the power away from the manager, as was previously the case. A second vote of delegates four weeks ago failed to overturn that decision.

The players have since issued several statements on the matter, confirming their withdrawal of services until the decision was overturned, and they also wrote to the county board on November 12th.

It was anticipated that some meeting would take place ahead of last Saturday's Cork county convention, but that couldn't be arranged in time.

Incredibly, Saturday's convention went ahead without any direct reference to the dispute. County board secretary Frank Murphy had gone on radio earlier in the day confirming the meeting with the players was at least scheduled: "The executive had been endeavouring, in contacts made behind the scenes, to have a meeting earlier than that," he explained: "We had hoped for a meeting last Monday and again to have a meeting over a 48-hour period from Thursday. But we understand that the players had difficulty in having the men that they want to have available for that meeting together until Wednesday"

Murphy, however, wouldn't be pressed on the likely outcome: "The county board has put in place its senior football selection committee for the next two years, based on its powers in rule and based on the votes taken on two occasions by the clubs of the county. It is disappointing we have an impasse at the present time in relation to that."

Yet that is the crux of the matter: that the county board decision as voted by the delegates can't be simply overturned, even though that's exactly what the players are demanding.

Last Saturday week the county players staged a two-hour meeting that reportedly ended in total unity. A spokesperson for the players has since revealed that some of them are already prepared to take a year out, if necessary.

It has also been suggested the county board will offer to revisit the selectors issue next year, although that is highly unlikely to satisfy the players. If anything, they look more determined to see the strike through than they were in 2002, when they were protesting the team preparation and welfare issues.

In the meantime, former Cork hurling captain Mark Landers called for a mediator to be brought in to help resolve the dispute, namely the GAA's player welfare manager Paraic Duffy. Yet Duffy has since ruled out such a move, and Cork press officer Bob Ryan has also reiterated the county board's intention to resolve the matter on their own.

In a related matter, former All-Ireland club hurling champions Newtownshandrum have issued a statement confirming their intention not to help fill any vacant places on the senior team, should the players' strike come about: "Newtownshandrum hurling club is fortunate to have a number of talented young players who have represented Cork at minor and under-21 grades, as well as senior level.

"In view of the current situation involving the Cork senior hurling panel, there now appears to be a possibility that other players from our club may be sought by Cork. We are concerned as a club as it would place the club in an impossible situation and lead inevitably to division within our club."