BILLY MCCARTHY IS facing another long spell on the sidelines after rupturing his anterior cruciate knee ligament for the third time in as many years.
McCarthy was injured while playing for Thurles Sarsfields in their Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship win against Moycarkey-Borris on Sunday.
The cruel setback for the 23-year-old forward was confirmed this afternoon by Tipp FM.
In 2018, McCarthy impressed during his breakthrough season for Tipperary at senior level. After starting in all four of their Munster Championship games, his prospects of making further progress on the inter-county stage the following season were dashed when he sustained his first knee injury while on club duty.
With Tipp going on to be crowned All-Ireland champions last year, McCarthy was absent after suffering another ACL tear during the latter stages of his recovery from the previous injury.
Following a two-year absence, he finally returned to action with Thurles Sars last month. However, as his club prepare for a county quarter-final against Éire Óg on Saturday, the luckless McCarthy will again be forced to miss out.
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3 acl injuries at the age of 23 is desperately unlucky.I wish him the best with his recovery.
Best of luck to Billy, really tough blow for him doing it for a third time after working unbelievably hard to get back. Really hope we see him line of for Tipp again as he deserves a bit of a turn of fortune after this. Scored a cracking championship goal against clare a few years ago
@Gareth Ward: Sport can be so cruel. Best of luck to him and hopefully he make a a full recovery.
Massive loss for Sars and he had been playing very well so far this year. They should still have enough to get past Nenagh.
Awful injury to be having any any age, but to have it for a third time is mentally rough and tough. Best of luck with recovery lad.
Cork’s Colm O Neill came back from three ACL injuries to win an All Ireland if I’m not mistaken, He’s still young enough to achieve this, Best of Luck to him on his recovery