Henry Shefflin is to undergo surgery on a shoulder injury and is expected to be out of action for six months.
The Kilkenny star picked up a knock while playing for his club Ballyhale Shamrocks in the county championship - a campaign which saw them lose in the final to James Stephens after a replay.
In 2010, Shefflin ruptured a cruciate ligament just before the All Ireland final against Tipperary, and while he did start the decider, he was forced off just before half-time as the Cats' 'drive for five' was ended by the Premier county.
Following on from the news that James 'Cha' Fitzpatrick quit the Kilkenny panel earlier this week, this latest news will be a blow to manager Brian Cody as he prepares for the 2012 season.
Shefflin is expected to miss the entire league campaign, but will no doubt target a return to action for Kilkenny's Leinster championship opener on 23 June.
