Ronan Curtis has spoken of the terrifying moment when he thought he was going to lose a finger last week.
Curtis was leaving his home to travel to Portsmouth’s game against Walsall when a gust of wind slammed the door shut on his finger.
The St Johnston man required immediate surgery and will have a splint inserted this week.
“There was a danger [I was going to lose my finger], but it’s good, they’ve done a good job on it and hopefully I can get back fit and well,” Curtis said at Sunday’s ‘3’ FAI International Awards where he was named the 2018 U21 International Player of the Year.
“I caught it in the door, and ripped half my finger off. They were luckily able to save it and they stitched it up well.
“It was literally hanging off. It was hanging on by a little bit of skin.
Ronan Curtis and Tyler Toland at the 3 International Awards
“The nurses and specialists said that the nerves were still bleeding so it was still in good shape so they managed to attach it again, and save the finger.”
Curtis has been in flying form for Portsmouth this season since signing in the summer from Derry City and was named in Mick McCarthy’s Ireland squad for their Euro 2020 qualifiers against Gibraltar and Georgia.
However, Curtis will sit those games out and will also miss Portsmouth’s Checkatrade Trophy final against Sunderland at Wembley.
He said: “The cup final and international duty, I’m a bit gutted that I can’t go away with the lads for the week.
“It’s unfortunate timing. Hopefully, I bounce back and in June I get a call-up and repay the favour.”
Tyler Toland was one of the nominees for the senior women’s player of the year, while Conor Tourish was nominated for the intermediate player of the year gong.
Tyler Toland with her father, Maurice Toland, a former Finn Harps player, with Finn Harps legend Brendan Bradley, who received a Special Merit Award.
