There appears to be no end in sight to the standoff in Limerick over Justin McCarthy's continued employment as the manager of the county's hurlers.
The Treatymen have been forced to field second-string sides in this year's NHL campaign because of 24 senior players' refusal to play under McCarthy.
It was hoped that a breakthrough might be made at Tuesday night's County Board meeting, at which it was suggested that a professional mediator be called in to resolve the matter.
However, that idea was dismissed, with Ahane's Louis Quirke pointing out: "The players have made it clear that they're not going back under this manager - how many times has that got to be said?
"We have only two options - we vote to remove the manager, or we leave things as they are. As I can see, positions have hardened since the last meeting, mediation has even less of a chance. We have only two choices, left to us - change the management, or not."
At one point, it appeared that club representatives might call for McCarthy to step down but County Chairman Liam Lenihan was quick to point out that the proper lines of procedure would have to be followed.
"I can't take a motion of no confidence tonight, we have to have notice of motion, signed by five clubs," he is quoted as saying by The Examiner.
"A democratic decision was taken (to have Justin McCarthy as manager); where we're concerned, unless it is overturned by ye that decision still stands."