Down’s Danny Hughes has been told to rest up for up to eight weeks after suffering a broken nose.
Hughes, an All Star in the Mourne men’s run to last year’s All-Ireland SFC final, suffered the blow on Saturday against Cork – the same opposition that edged him and Down out in last year’s September decider.
Saturday’s win was much more comprehensive with the Rebels advancing by 12 points, and the pain of the defeat was compounded for Hughes after a tussle with Cork’s Paudie Kissane left him with the knock to the nose.
Hughes previously missed Down’s qualifier games with Clare and Leitrim with a knee problem. On the back of the latest injury he has been advised to take it easy for eight weeks, after which he should return to action for club Saval's Down SFC clash with Mayobridge.