Waterford's preparations for the Hurling Championship have been dealt a massive blow, with Pauric Mahony ruled out of their campaign.
The Deise captain has suffered another serious knee injury, ending his 2020.
It's believed Mahony sustained the problem just 15-minutes into a challenge match with Wexford at the weekend.
It's just the latest major injury setback for the Ballygunner man who lost nearly a year of his playing career to a horrific broken leg in 2015.
By 2017, he was back to his best. He helped Waterford reach the All Ireland final where-in he top-scored with 0-11, but still wound up on the losing side.
Pauric Mahony will miss the 2020 season due to a knee injury. Liam Cahill, his team and all in Waterford GAA would like to wish Pauric a speedy and full recovery.
— Waterford GAA (@WaterfordGAA) October 20, 2020
Waterford are scheduled to play Cork in the Munster Hurling semi-finals at Semple Stadium on Hallowe'en.
The briefest of statements from the county confirmed the news of the injury.
"Pauric Mahony will miss the 2020 season due to a knee injury, they tweeted, "Liam Cahill, his team and all in Waterford GAA would like to wish Pauric a speedy and full recovery."
The 28-year old had been a fixture of Liam Cahill's early days as Waterford manager, having been confirmed as captain in December of 2019.
Mahony had been Mr. Dependable from frees prior to lockdown, scoring a total of 0-18 from place balls against Limerick, Galway and Tipperary.
Stephen Bennett had been tasked with free-taking against both Cork and Westmeath, and is likely to find himself in that role in Thurles by the month's end.
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