The GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) has called off Cork's opening National Football League game with Meath and deferred any further decision on the matter until a later date.
The decision is likely to mean that if Cork cannot field a team against Dublin in their second league tie they will be deemed to have been unable to fulfill two fixtures. If both games are 'unfulfiled fixtures' the GAA can throw Cork out of the competition.
Cork hurlers and footballers are striking in protest over the county board's insistence on appointing their own selector's and installing Teddy Holland as football manager. The players have called for the resignations of Holland and county secretary Frank Murphy.
The Cork county board passed motions of confidence in Holland and Murphy last night and sought a rescheduling of the fixture. Meath agreed, in theory, to postpone the game for a week until February 9th or 10th.
It was hoped after last weekend's talks chaired by LRC mediator Kieran Mulvey, that a resolution to the long-running saga could be reached this weekend, paving the way for the county's participation in the hurling and football leagues.
A number of details were agreed between the two sides at that meeting and this brought renewed optimism within the county. But if Cork cannot field a team against Meath on the date decided by the GAA, or against Dublin on February 17th, the unwelcome prospect of a national league without Cork may well become a reality.