Down forward Oisín Savage will undergo surgery on a broken jaw and will miss next month's Tailteann Cup final against Laois.
Savage, who came on as a second-half substitute against Sligo in Sunday's semi-final at Croke Park, was caught by the swinging forearm of Nathan Mullen, who was red-carded, and immediately hit the deck.
The 21-year-old was treated on the pitch for a number of minutes before being stretchered off. He was taken to Beaumount Hospital, with Savage's club Loughinisland confirming on Monday that he will have the operation today.
A post on the club's Facebook page, said: "Good news in that our Oisín is on his way home from Dublin. Not so good news is that he will be up for surgery on his broken jaw tomorrow.
"Tomorrow also happens to be his 21st birthday.
"Thank you to everyone in Official Down GAA, Croke Park and all the medics for looking after him so well. Also thank you to everyone who has sent well wishes to Oisín and his family.
"Speedy recovery Oisín and we will keep the 21st celebrations on hold."
The injury to Savage and the subsequent sending off of Mullen changed the course of Sunday's enthralling clash, with RTÉ analyst Lee Keegan saying that it "flipped the game on its head a little bit". Down, who were three points down at the time, fought back to level and then forced the game into extra-time.
"It's a really rash challenge and, from that angle, it's a definite red card..."
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) June 23, 2024
A second-half sending off cost Sligo dear in their Tailteann Cup semi-final loss to Down.
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Odhran Murdock's goal from the penalty spot thereafter proved the decisive score to send the Mourne County through to a successive Tailteann decider.
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