Portsmouth star Ronan Curtis makes 'shattering' pilgrimage back to Ireland to train as he struggles under strict lockdown measures

The winger and his parents left Portsmouth at 3am on Tuesday as they embarked on their ‘shattering’ pilgrimage home as Britain comes to terms with strict social isolation and non-essential travel rules.

The mission involved setting off from the south coast before taking an eight-hour ferry across the Irish Sea from Liverpool to Belfast and then travelling the width of Ireland to Donegal on the west coast, by the Atlantic Ocean.

The 24-year-old told boss Kenny Jackett of his struggles to be able to train properly - with the player being interrupted by fans when allowed outside for his daily outing of training.

Now back at his home in Donegal, Curtis will have three acres of land to train as often as he likes, with his mum Marie Curtis saying he will be kept in shape by his six brothers and occasional visits from nearby Derry City players - the club where Curtis started off.

Speaking to The News, Marie said: ‘Ronan couldn’t train in Portsmouth. He can’t get out there. There’s only so much you can do in your bedroom.

‘Here we have three acres of land and he can go out as many times a day as he wants. His brothers will come out and train with him and one or two of the Derry (City) boys will help keep him in shape. The nearest house is 20 minutes away down the lane.

‘Ronan said people were stopping him when going out for runs in Portsmouth and that he didn’t want to be rude by not stopping.

‘(In Donegal) he can do his training - there is no-one to annoy him. Ronan wants to apologise to fans who he didn’t stop for (when out running in Portsmouth).’

Marie explained how the family took careful measures when out in public during the trip home after receiving the backing of Jackett to return home. ‘We wore masks,’ she said. ‘There were only about 10 people on the boat and we were not near anyone.’

She continued: ‘Ronan explained the situation to Kenny on Sunday. The death toll here is a lot less than in Portsmouth. But we have to be extremely vigilant.’

Marie said she was ‘shattered’ after the lengthy trip to Donegal and said her son will return to Portsmouth when he is ‘told to come back’.

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