Cats supporters feared the worst when news filtered through, on Saturday evening, of an injury to Richie Hogan.
The 2014 Hurler of the Year sustained a blow to his hand whilst in action for Danesfort against county rivals Ballyhale Shamrocks.
Hogan had scored two frees for his club side, in the 1-16 to 1-8 defeat, before getting the rap on his hand.
It has now been confirmed that the All-Star forward will be out of action for a considerable length of time.
Danesfort club secretary Michael Moylan confirmed to The Irish Daily Mail that Hogan will be out of action for ‘anything up to eight to 10 weeks’.
That means Hogan will miss the Leinster SHC semi-final against Dublin on June 11. Hogan would also be unlikely to make it back in time for the Leinster final on July 3.
There was a further blow for Brian Cody’s men, stemming from that game, as Michael Fennelly sustained a hamstring injury. Fennelly, another former Hurler of the Year [aren’t they all?], missed a large part of last summer’s championship with injuries.
Kilkenny would secure a three-in-a-row of Liam MacCarthy successes were they to go all the way this year.
