Dublin football boss Pat Gilroy will have to plan without the services of full-back Rory O'Carroll until spring 2011 at least.
The Kilmacud Crokes defender, who is currently out of action with a hip injury that he picked up in Dublin's agonising All-Ireland SFC semi-final defeat to Cork, has announced that he will attend college just outside Paris from the end of the month, and he will not return to these shores until next year.
O'Carroll's decision further weakens Crokes' bid to regain the Dublin SFC title, which has already been shaken by a number of injuries to key players.
"In the current climate we have to be particularly respectful of anyone looking after their academic and professional career," Crokes manager Paddy Carr is quoted as saying in The Irish Daily Star.
"The scenario in this country has changed so much over the last few years - it's not so long ago that inter-county players could almost pick and choose what job would do.
"Rory hasn't indicated to us when he finishes in France, though we expect him to be back in time for the club championship next year."