The sight of a prostrate Joe Canning in Nowlan Park last Sunday was not something that anyone involved with Galway hurling would particularly have wanted to see.
The talismanic star of the Tribesman took an almighty thump from Waterford's Kevin Moran in last weekend's Allianz Division One hurling semi-final defeat - a thump that would see the five-time All-Star stretched from the pitch.
Anxieties seemed the be soothed in the aftermath of the game however when reports suggested that the Portumna man had merely suffered a dead leg, but further reports this evening are sure to plunge supporters right back into the mire.
As per the Irish Examiner, the suggestion is that the 30-year-old is now set for a prolonged period on the sidelines after scans appear to show damage to Canning's groin that will require surgery to mend.
With the assumption that the 2017 Hurler of the Year will opt for surgery as soon as possible, it is reported that he will not be fit to play again until the end of June and will miss the defence of Galway's Leinster Senior Hurling Championship.
Micheál Donoghue's side opens their championship round-robin campaign on May 12th at home to Carlow, meeting Kilkenny and Wexford, before rounding the head-to-heads off with a trip to Dublin on June 16th. The provincial decider is pencilled in for June 30th at Croke Park.
Canning last went under the knife in November 2017, missing the Fenway Classic that year after some minor keyhole surgery, but this looks to be somewhat more of a concern.
Waterford and Moran will meet All Ireland champions Limerick in Sunday's league final having overcome the Tribesmen on a scoreline of 1-18 to 0-19 in last weekend's semi-final encounter.
