It’s time to put the hurt behind us, says Donegal star Thompson

By John Campbell – 21 September 2012

Two years ago Anthony Thompson, the quiet man of the Donegal team, was denied what he viewed as a signal honour.

The 26-year-old defender was a member of the Naomh Conaill side that was beaten by Crossmaglen Rangers in the Ulster club final having previously shown rich promise in the competition by beating Kingscourt, Clontibret and Coalisland all of whom had been fancied to overcome them.

It was under the baton of Tyrone man Cathal Corey from Kildress that Naomh Conaill took the Donegal championship by storm winning the title in convincing fashion before pitting their skills against some of the province’s elite sides.

But they were to find Rangers a bridge too far yet it was to prove a learning experience for Thompson and his colleagues.

Today with two Ulster championship medals in his back pocket and standing just 70 minutes away from the greatest honour that the sport has to offer, Thompson is in no doubt that his exploits at club level have helped him to become a vital component within the machinery of Jim McGuinness’s well-oiled side.

“Obviously it was disappointing to lose to Crossmaglen but you have to hand it to them. They have remained invincible since then and as the reigning All-Ireland Club champions they are going to be difficult to put down,” muses Thompson.

“But my priority now is to help Donegal get their hands on the Sam Maguire Cup this weekend. Just like Naomh Conaill, we have worked very hard to get where we are.

“But it’s important that we beat Mayo to convince people that we are really made of the right stuff.”

Thompson’s tenacious tackling and vibrant workrate have helped to make him a fixture in McGuinness’s side and he surprised even himself when he managed to plunder the vital point that propelled Donegal into a 0-12 to 0-8 lead over Cork in the semi-final, effectively plotting the course to victory.

His ability to read situations and offer cover when it is needed make him an invaluable member of a team which he himself sees as “a special outfit.”

Unlike several of his colleagues, Thompson has not had to suffer the heartbreak of Ulster final and All-Ireland quarter-final and semi-final defeats.

“I know that I am maybe a bit disappointed that Naomh Conaill missed out in 2010 but there are boys in this Donegal squad who have suffered an awful lot more than I have.

“It’s for them especially that I would love to see us win on Sunday.

“They have given a lot to Donegal football for the best part of ten years and now they are getting the chance to get All-Ireland medals and I know what this would mean to them in particular,” insists Thompson.