Sligo Rovers defender Gary Boylan faces lengthy spell on the sidelines with ACL injury

Sligo Rovers have confirmed that right-back Gary Boylan will miss the remainder of the season and beyond after sustaining a serious knee injury.

The highly-rated full-back suffered the anterior cruciate ligament injury early in last week's 2-0 win over Derry City at the Brandywell.

22-year-old Boylan was stretchered from the field after 17 minutes when he fell awkwardly while making a goal-saving tackle on Derry's Ben Doherty.

The Belmullet native has become a mainstay in the Bit o' Red's backline since making his senior debut during the 2014 season, having come through the club's under-19 side.

Sligo manager Gerard Lyttle fought off competition from both the Mayo GAA team and other League of Ireland sides to retain his signature for the current season.

“It’s very hard to take for him,” Lyttle told the club's official website.

“It’s the worst news and the one we feared. He has just found out in the last day or two and it has to sink in.

“It’s a long one because of the severity of the injury and it’ll be into next year before he can look at returning to football.

“I spoke to him last night and it’s a long road ahead. There is more to come from Gary too so that’s why it’s so tough to take.

“We obviously wish him the speediest and best recovery possible. He is a great lad and a popular one and he’ll get great support from the lads.”