This has been an exciting year for St Johnston man Ronan Curtis, who has made a big move to Portsmouth from Derry City and has got his call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad for the game against Poland at the beginning of this month.
Ronan Curtis who joined Derry’s academy in 2014, after previously playing for Kildrum Tigers and Swilly Rovers. In 2015, he made his debut for the first team in a 2-0 defeat to Galway United, after coming on as a substitute.
It kept getting better for the forward as a good run of form after getting his first goal against Longford Town in a 4-2 away loss, witch made him brake into the starting 11 and Kenny Shiels quickly seen the potential in the then 19 year old, giving him a new two year contract.
In 2017, Ronan had his best season yet with 8 goals, and this got attention from aboard with Swedish side Ostersunds FK interest in the wide man. Then Ronan was set to join the Swedish giants but couldn’t agree personal terms so the deal fell through. But he didn’t look back.
The next year, more interest was shown in the forward, closer to home this time in League One side Portsmouth and after scoring a hat-trick against Shelbourne this put more focus and speculation on his shoulders. Then after a long time of waiting he finally got the move he wanted with Portsmouth and Derry City agreeing on a fee of around £100,000 and a two year contract.
Ronan also in the same year got his call-up to the Republic of Ireland u-21 with games against Germany, Israel, Norway, Azerbaijan and Kosovo. And also scored his first international goal against Kosovo in a 1-1 draw in a UEFA Under-21s Qualifying match.
Ronan Curtis has been on fire since signing for Portsmouth with goals against Luton Town, Blackpool and Bristol Rovers meaning the forward has 5 goals and 5 assists in 8 games at Fratton Park and even Martin O’Neill has seen his quality by giving Ronan a call-up to the Republic of Ireland squad after the uncertainties over Roy Keane and an injury to full-back Stephen Ward.
He was used as a unused substitute for a friendly game against Poland and hopefully he will keep up his excellent form for club and country in the near distant future.
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