Breaking: Cork full back Ciarán Joyce's hurling season over after rupturing ACL

HUGE BLOW: Ciarán Joyce has suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile.

Ciarán Joyce has suffered a season-ending anterior cruciate ligament rupture, the Cork senior hurling camp have confirmed.

The Castlemartyr man jarred his leg contesting a ball with Shane O’Brien just minutes into the first half of Sunday’s Munster SHC Round 2 win over Limerick in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Former captain Robert Downey is also set to miss the remainder of the provincial campaign after damaging ankle ligaments.

The Glen Rovers man, who was troubled by a knee problem in last year’s campaign, is set to be out for six weeks.

Joyce himself had hamstring issues this time last year and his absence is a major blow having settled in his new full-back position.

Speaking about the injury on Sunday, manager Ben O’Connor admitted the outlook was bleak for 2025 All-Star Joyce.