Tipperary's Seamus Kennedy ruptures his ACL

Two-time All-Ireland-winning Tipperary hurling defender Seamus Kennedy has suffered an ACL rupture.

Kennedy sustained the injury playing for his county against Limerick in last weekend's Allianz League Group 1B at Supervalu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

The news was confirmed by county board officials today.

"The injury will now require reconstructive surgery followed by a period of rehabilitation and we look forward to his return to the playing fields in the not too distant future," said Tipperary GAA in a statement.

The versatile 31-year-old St Mary’s and Clonmel Commercials clubman has been a stalwart of Tipp hurling for the past number of seasons and will be a massive loss in the Premier rearguard this summer.

He had played for the team in a number of positions in recent years, impressing both at wing-forward and wing-back.

The highly respected dual player made his senior football championship debut for the county against Waterford in 2015 and followed it up with a debut for the hurlers against Cork the following year.

He was part of the Tipperary minor hurling panel in 2010 and 2011 and the Under-21 hurling panel in 2012 through 2014.

Before that he represented Tipperary at minor football in 2011 and Under-21 football in 2013, as captain.

He made his senior hurling championship debut at wing-back in 2016 against the Rebels before going on to win an All-Ireland SHC medal that year, scoring a point from play in the final from wing-back.

He was also a member of the All-Ireland-winning team in 2019.

Kennedy holds seven county senior football medals with Clonmel Commercials and claimed a Munster club SFC medal in 2015.

Tipperary manager Liam Cahill will be hoping that Kennedy makes a swift recovery as his experience and versatility are crucial