IRISH AFL PLAYER Ciaran Byrne’s worst fears have been confirmed after scans revealed he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a game for Carlton at the MCG in Melbourne on Saturday.

The Louth native suffered the injury during Carlton’s defeat to Collingwood and there were huge concerns immediately that he had suffered a serious injury.

Scans have subsequently confirmed that Byrne has torn the cruciate in his right knee and will miss the rest of the 2016 AFL season.

Carlton Head of Football Andrew McKay expressed his disappointment with the news of the injury, when speaking to the club’s official website.

“Long term injuries are always disappointing, particularly as Ciaran was having a really solid season so far,” McKay said.

“He will undergo surgery in the coming weeks and will commence his rehabilitation process not long after that.

“Ciaran is a resilient young man and will have the club’s full support throughout this process.”

Byrne landed awkwardly after being challenged by an opponent after he had kicked the ball in the closing stages of the game on Saturday.

He was in pain after injuring his right knee before being tended to by Carlton medics and then stretchered off.

In August 2013, Byrne signed a two-year deal with Carlton as a rookie and he signed a new two-year contract with the club last October.

Byrne made his AFL debut against Essendon in April 2015 yet then suffered injury problems for the rest of the 2015 season.

But this year he has made a real impact for Carlton and made 11 appearances in the AFL.

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