Meath star Conor Gillespie's season is over after he tore a cruciate ligament during county training on Sunday.
The Summerhill man had missed the entire league campaign through injury but was back in contention for the Royal County's championship opener against Carlow on Sunday.
Meath have been plagued with cruciate injuries this year.
Gillespie's usual midfield partner Brian Meade is also out with a tear sustained last season and forward Eamonn Wallace suffered a similar injury in March.
