A bio-absorbable cartilage repair system (10) is provided for regenerating damaged or destroyed articular cartilage on a joint surface of a bone by establishing a condrogenic growth-supporting matrix between an area of damaged or destroyed articular cartilage that has been removed and an adjacent healthy area of articular cartilage and subchondral cancellous bone. The system (10) is an assembly (12) of a delivery unit (14) and a porous insert (16). The delivery unit (14) is formed of bio-absorbable material and configured and dimensioned to be mounted in both an area of damaged or destroyed articular cartilage that has been removed and an adjacent healthy area of articular cartilage and cancellous bone. The delivery unit (14) has a central body (26) and a plurality of radially extending, flexible support arms (28) projecting outwardly from the central body and configured and dimensioned to support the insert (16) at least partially thereover. The insert (16) is supported by the delivery unit (14), formed of bio-absorbable material, and establishes communication between the removed area and the adjacent healthy area for a chondrogenic growth-supporting matrix.