Limerick’s Séamus Hickey suffered cruciate ligament tear during Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling semi-final defeat to Clare at Croke Park.

Hickey left the field in obvious distress after just 15 minutes yesterday and the Treaty County were undoubtedly wounded by his absence after a poor start to the game.

He will target the latter stages of next year’s league campaign for a return to action but could be out until the opening rounds of the championship.