Cork’s Ciarán Joyce out for season after ACL injury with Rob Downey out for six weeks

Michael Bolton

Cork full-back Ciarán Joyce has been ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL injury, it was confirmed on Monday morning.

Joyce suffered the injury in Cork's win over Limerick on Sunday after just three minutes.

Centre back Rob Downey will also be sidelined for the next six weeks with ankle ligament damage.

If Cork were to reach the Munster final, Downey would be in a race against time to be fit.

Joyce was expected to continue at full back for the rest of the year, having won an all-star at corner back last season.

Downey has been a mainstay of the Cork defence since he made his debut in 2019 and has been Cork’s regular centre back since the 2024 game against Limerick.