Cork's Munster SHC victory over Limerick came at a major cost as Ciarán Joyce has been ruled out for the season with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury.
The All-Star defender, who has been relocated to full-back this season, was withdrawn with injury five minutes into Sunday's clash at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Ben O'Connor admitted after the game that the injury didn't look good and this morning brought confirmation that the Castlemartyr player has sustained an ACL injury and will miss the remainder of the championship campaign.
Joyce has filled the full-back spot since the league final, which had been a problem position for the Rebels, and excelled in the role in their four-point victory over Tipperary in Semple Stadium.
It wasn't the only headache on the injury front for O'Connor, with last year's captain Rob Downey ruled out for six weeks with an ankle injury.
Notwithstanding these setbacks, Cork do look certain to progress from the Munster championship after winning two from two in the opening rounds.
Their next outing in the Munster SHC is away to Waterford on Saturday, 9 May.
