Derry City striker Colm Whelan ruled out for the rest of the season

Derry City striker Colm Whelan has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

The news that many City fans feared was confirmed by manager Ruaidhri Higgins, who admitted it was a devastating blow.

The young striker signed for the Candystripes last December, still working his way back from rupturing a cruciate ligament which ended his season with UCD midway through the 2022 season.

Whelan won over the fans very quickly at the Brandywell this season, scoring in each of his two games, scoring away at Cork City and home to St. Patrick’s Athletic only to suffer an injury against Shamrock Rovers at the Brandywell on May 1.

An exploratory surgery recently unveiled the extent of the damage with Higgins revealing that the 22-year-old had received bad news.

“Collie will miss the remainder of the season,” he said. “It’s devastating for him, absolutely devastating. He got off to an unbelievable start here. He was flying fit and he scored a couple of brilliant goals and looks strong, but whatever way he landed on his knee or whatever way his studs got caught in the ground; it’s a slightly different type of injury, but it looks like his season is possibly over.”