CIARAN THOMPSON is unlikely to forget his Donegal senior debut in a hurry.
The Naomh Conaill man left Sean MacCumhaill Park proudly clutching the Man of the Match award after hitting three points from midfield against Down.
Picture caption: Ciaran Thompson is presented with the Man of the Match award. Picture courtesy of Geraldine Diver.
The 20-year-old from Glenties arrowed over two points in the first half and followed it up with a stylish score off the outside of his left foot in the second period.
He was being modest when he mentioned afterwards that the chances were ‘on a plate’.
Indeed, Rory Gallagher, the Donegal manager, described Thompson as ‘exceptional’ and it seems like an age now since he wasn’t getting his place in the Naomh Conaill senior team during 2014.
“You see the talent he has – he has wonderful skills and wonderful vision and he’s not afraid to do the donkey work as well,” Gallagher said.
“We brought him in for training last summer and I thought he was brilliant again for Glenties during the club championship.”
Ciaran became the third member of the Thompson family to line out for Donegal, following in the footsteps of brothers Anthony and Leon.
“It wasn’t a bad debut and I couldn’t ask for much better,” he said after his first senior appearance.
“It’s special to even get to play along with these boys. It’s great to get in there and stake a claim.
“If you get the chance, it’s important to kick on and do your best to stay in there. I wouldn’t go much on that game; I’ll just keep the head down in training and keep on working hard.”
Thompson has taken a year out from studying at IT Sligo, but plans to return in the autumn.
For now, winning a regular berth in Donegal is the aim of the game as he double-jobs between the seniors and the under-21s.
He said: “We’ve been training away flat out and we’ve been all geared towards playing games. It’s been hectic, but it’s manageable. I’m still in the Under-21 side too so I have to keep an eye on that too. I’m happy to be there.
“I didn’t have much time off, just a few weeks. I’m happy to be in with the lads here and be training away with these bucks.”
Thompson was one of the stars as Naomh Conaill prised Dr Maguire out of St Eunan’s clutches in the Donegal SFC final in October and is now hoping to press on after a fine debut for the county.
He said: “We’re aiming to win the competition and to basically win as many games as we can so it’s good to get off to a winning start.”
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