We asked them to come back and have another look so we’re just trying to come up with a solution,” said May of the current situation. “It’s fine-tuning the agreement so it’s going to take a bit of time.

“We’ve been very clear that we won’t be compromising on the basic fundamental requirements and it’s just how best to make that work where the compromise will happen. From our point of view, testing is testing and to be honest under the Irish anti-doping rules they are completely bound by those rules anyway and they’re subject to testing no matter what happens.

“The fundamentals of the programme are there and the devil is in the detail. It’s just exactly how do we go about it. But testing is already in place and we’re entitled to test and in accordance with the rules we are entitled to test any time, any place be that at home, work or wherever. We don’t intend to and that’s what we’ve already agreed. It’s just when you try to nail down a bit more detail it becomes a little trickier.”

May confirmed the GAA have given the SI their backing in the situation while appreciating the concerns expressed by the GPA.

The GAA, yes they’re supporting us in trying to get to the conclusion but I think they can also see the issues. We can all see how difficult it is to get to an agreement but it’s just a matter of everyone agreeing on the final details before we can move on.

As soon as a deal can be struck, the 2017 grants due to inter-county players will be released by the SI for distribution. As for those players who retired last year and complied with the anti-doping regulations but haven’t received their grants, May said: “We don’t have an issue with any individual player but the players organisation as a whole have the responsibility for the decision.

“If some are being impacted in this way, it’s not our responsibility to figure that one out.

“We’re trying to ensure we have a suitable agreement across the whole programme and we can’t be taking into consideration individual situations.”