Kildare veteran Dermot Earley is to have an operation on his long-standing knee problem, following his side's Championship exit.
The Lilywhites were beaten in controversial fashion by Down in Sunday's All-Ireland SFC semi-final, missing out on the chance to meet Cork in the decider, and following that loss the midfield talisman will undergo his much-needed surgery.
The 33-year-old was named in the side to take on the Mourne men on Sunday despite being a huge doubt with the knee problem. In the end, he was omitted by manager Kieran McGeeney after undergoing a late fitness test.
Earley will now face a long layoff after going under the knife and it remains to be seen if, like fellow old-stager Anthony Rainbow, he has played his last game for the county.
Rainbow retired from inter-county football this week after 20 years with the Kildare team.
He has played in the championship since 1992 and has been involved, albeit with decreasing game time, throughout McGeeney's reign since 2008.
However, as he approaches his 39th birthday, he has finally opted to call time with the Lilywhites.