Kilmacud Crokes manager Robbie Brennan says he expects Paul Mannion to be out of action for three months due to an ankle injury.
The six-time All-Ireland winner suffered the injury during the second half of Crokes' Dublin SFC quarter-final victory over Cuala a fortnight ago.
Mannion was absent on Sunday as reigning champions Crokes defeated Thomas Davis in the semi-final to set up a decider with Na Fianna on October 16th.
Last season, Mannion missed the Leinster final victory over Naas, the All-Ireland semi-final win against Padraig Pearses and the All-Ireland final defeat to Kilcoo due to injury.
It was confirmed by Dessie Farrell last month that Mannion will return to the Dublin panel next year along with Jack McCaffrey.
17 September 2022; Paul Mannion of Kilmacud Crokes is assisted from the field after picking up an injury during the Dublin County Senior Club Football Championship Quarter-Final match between Kilmacud Crokes and Cuala at Parnell Park in Dublin. Photo by Ben McShane/Sportsfile
"It's not good, unfortunately," Brennan told RTÉ Radio One's Sunday Sport about Mannion's injury.
"We thought he wouldn't be too bad because he was walking after the Cuala game, and we felt it wasn't too bad.
"He went in for surgery on Thursday. He's gone long-term now, and is looking at a rehab programme. I think the recovery period is three months from a surgery like that, I think it's the ankle. Surgery went well. He's getting stuck into it now.
"We won't be trying to rush him back. He's got a full inter-county season ahead with Dessie and the lads. I'm sure that will be his focus going forward."
Congrats to @KCrokesGAAClub who have beaten @tomasdaibhis to qualify for the @GoAheadIreland DSF1 championship final.
Final Score: K. Crokes 0-12 T. Davis 1-03
They will play @clgNaFianna on Sunday October 16th in Parnell Park #GoAheadDSF1— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) October 2, 2022
In Pictures: Na Fianna Reach First Dublin Final In 17 Years
