GAA intervention in Cork hurling row fails

Efforts by the GAA to find a solution to the crisis in Cork hurling have been unsuccessful, it was announced tonight.

The row centres around the 2008 senior player panel's refusal to play for manager Gerald McCarthy.

A resolution to the matter now seems ever more unlikely, given the apparent failure of an attempted intervention by the GAA Central Council in the controversy.

A statement from the GAA issued tonight read: "The GAA has confirmed that, over recent days, Croke Park has been in contact with the various parties involved in the Cork hurling impasse in an effort to establish if the Association nationally could be of assistance in moving the matter forward."

"Having listened carefully to their respective views on the matter, Croke Park acknowledges that all parties recognise that the current situation is not in the best interests of Cork hurling and have a shared desire to see the matter resolved.

"However, having reflected on their stated positions, Croke Park is regretfully of the view that there is no apparent meaningful role for Central Council at this time."