MAYO CAPTAIN ANDY MORAN will miss the rest of the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship after suffering a significant knee injury during his side’s quarter-final win over Down on Saturday.

Manager James Horan was in downcast mood despite his side’s progression to the last four, as the forward lay stricken on a medical trolley in the Croke Park tunnel.

It has now been confirmed that the Ballaghaderreen man suffered knee ligament damage and is likely to be missing for some time.

“Following a scan yesterday evening and a consultation this morning, it has been confirmed that Mayo Senior Football Team Captain Andy Moran has suffered significent knee ligament damage to his knee and will be getting further medical advice during the coming days,” read a statement from Mayo GAA.

“It is likely Andy Moran will miss the remainder of the season.

“Andy Moran has been a real leader on the team all year and will continue to do so. Andy Moran will still play a major role in the Mayo Senior Football team on their All-Ireland campaign this year. We wish Andy a speedy recovery and no doubt will see him back again soon.”

After the match, with the full extent of Moran’s injury still unknown, Horan spoke of the need for Mayo’s younger to step up and take their captain’s place.

“It’s very disappointing. Andy is the heartbeat of the team and has been playing great, he’d be the first to say that it’s going to be an opportunity for someone else.

“When we get the diagnosis we’ll take it from there. We’ve a strong panel with good young players coming through and we have to look at it that way,” he said.

LIVE: Cork v Kildare, All-Ireland Quarter-Final >