Donegal Daily
  • News
  • Sport
    • Football

      Watch: Horgan disappointed but maintains ‘it’s a…

      9 hours ago

      Football

      Harps left cursing their luck as Derry…

      10 hours ago

      Football

      Patching free-kick cancels out Mihajević opener at…

      11 hours ago

      GAA

      Derry name starting side for Sunday’s Ulster…

      11 hours ago

      Athletics

      Watch: How Eamon Giles proved his doubters…

      21 hours ago

      Athletics

      Williamson wins Furey Insurance Buncrana 5k

      2 days ago

      Athletics

      RunDonegal Women’s 5K next Sunday to benefit…

      2 weeks ago

      Athletics

      Pictures: Claire McGuigan is ‘first lady’ in…

      2 weeks ago

      Boxing

      Venue swap for Brett McGinty fight next…

      1 week ago

      Boxing

      Donegal boxers claim Ulster 9 County titles…

      2 weeks ago

      Boxing

      Brett McGinty to return to boxing in…

      3 weeks ago

      Boxing

      Night of Support being held for West…

      3 weeks ago

      Football

      Watch: Horgan disappointed but maintains ‘it’s a…

      9 hours ago

      Football

      Harps left cursing their luck as Derry…

      10 hours ago

      Football

      Patching free-kick cancels out Mihajević opener at…

      11 hours ago

      Football

      Ollie Horgan says ‘we have to keep…

      22 hours ago

      GAA

      Derry name starting side for Sunday’s Ulster…

      11 hours ago

      GAA

      Last call for inclusion of Donegal stories…

      13 hours ago

      GAA

      Donegal hoping history stays on their side…

      16 hours ago

      GAA

      Former Donegal star to feature on first…

      22 hours ago

      Golf

      Cloughaneely Golf Club to celebrate 25th anniversary…

      3 days ago

      Golf

      McDonald’s manager Victor Byrne supporting a charity…

      6 days ago

      Golf

      Prize fund of €2,500 for Letterkenny Golf…

      1 week ago

      Golf

      Top 10 finish for Ryan Griffin in…

      2 weeks ago

      Hockey

      Four Donegal players named in Ireland hockey…

      4 weeks ago

      Hockey

      Hockey: Raphoe go down fighting

      2 months ago

      Hockey

      Hockey: Raphoe lose out in crucial relegation…

      2 months ago

      Hockey

      Raphoe Ladies reach Irish Hockey Trophy final

      3 months ago

      GAA

      Match Report – Casey inspires Tyrone in…

      2 weeks ago

      GAA

      Mickey McCann reacts to heartbreaking defeat to…

      2 weeks ago

      Hurling

      Brave Donegal hurlers miss out on another…

      2 weeks ago

      Hurling

      SHL – Strong second half sees St…

      2 weeks ago

      Rugby

      Letterkenny girls play in front of huge…

      3 days ago

      Rugby

      Donegal girls feature for Ulster in provincial…

      3 weeks ago

      Rugby

      Last gasp drop goal clinches dramatic Gordon…

      1 month ago

      Rugby

      Donegal girls selected for underage Ulster Rugby…

      1 month ago

  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Travel
  • Features
  • Business
  • Property
  • Council News
  • Politics
  • More
    • Advertise with us
    • Haircare
    • Cooking
    • DD Pets
    • Hairdressing
    • Motors
Saturday 17°CSunday 14°C

Donegal Daily Donegal Daily

  • News
  • Sport
    • Football

      Watch: Horgan disappointed but maintains ‘it’s a…

      9 hours ago

      Football

      Harps left cursing their luck as Derry…

      10 hours ago

      Football

      Patching free-kick cancels out Mihajević opener at…

      11 hours ago

      GAA

      Derry name starting side for Sunday’s Ulster…

      11 hours ago

      Athletics

      Watch: How Eamon Giles proved his doubters…

      21 hours ago

      Athletics

      Williamson wins Furey Insurance Buncrana 5k

      2 days ago

      Athletics

      RunDonegal Women’s 5K next Sunday to benefit…

      2 weeks ago

      Athletics

      Pictures: Claire McGuigan is ‘first lady’ in…

      2 weeks ago

      Boxing

      Venue swap for Brett McGinty fight next…

      1 week ago

      Boxing

      Donegal boxers claim Ulster 9 County titles…

      2 weeks ago

      Boxing

      Brett McGinty to return to boxing in…

      3 weeks ago

      Boxing

      Night of Support being held for West…

      3 weeks ago

      Football

      Watch: Horgan disappointed but maintains ‘it’s a…

      9 hours ago

      Football

      Harps left cursing their luck as Derry…

      10 hours ago

      Football

      Patching free-kick cancels out Mihajević opener at…

      11 hours ago

      Football

      Ollie Horgan says ‘we have to keep…

      22 hours ago

      GAA

      Derry name starting side for Sunday’s Ulster…

      11 hours ago

      GAA

      Last call for inclusion of Donegal stories…

      13 hours ago

      GAA

      Donegal hoping history stays on their side…

      16 hours ago

      GAA

      Former Donegal star to feature on first…

      22 hours ago

      Golf

      Cloughaneely Golf Club to celebrate 25th anniversary…

      3 days ago

      Golf

      McDonald’s manager Victor Byrne supporting a charity…

      6 days ago

      Golf

      Prize fund of €2,500 for Letterkenny Golf…

      1 week ago

      Golf

      Top 10 finish for Ryan Griffin in…

      2 weeks ago

      Hockey

      Four Donegal players named in Ireland hockey…

      4 weeks ago

      Hockey

      Hockey: Raphoe go down fighting

      2 months ago

      Hockey

      Hockey: Raphoe lose out in crucial relegation…

      2 months ago

      Hockey

      Raphoe Ladies reach Irish Hockey Trophy final

      3 months ago

      GAA

      Match Report – Casey inspires Tyrone in…

      2 weeks ago

      GAA

      Mickey McCann reacts to heartbreaking defeat to…

      2 weeks ago

      Hurling

      Brave Donegal hurlers miss out on another…

      2 weeks ago

      Hurling

      SHL – Strong second half sees St…

      2 weeks ago

      Rugby

      Letterkenny girls play in front of huge…

      3 days ago

      Rugby

      Donegal girls feature for Ulster in provincial…

      3 weeks ago

      Rugby

      Last gasp drop goal clinches dramatic Gordon…

      1 month ago

      Rugby

      Donegal girls selected for underage Ulster Rugby…

      1 month ago

  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Travel
  • Features
  • Business
  • Property
  • Council News
  • Politics
  • More
    • Advertise with us
    • Haircare
    • Cooking
    • DD Pets
    • Hairdressing
    • Motors
GAA

Donegal’s Thompson gun shoots for the stars after Ulster ‘dogfight’

written by Chris McNulty November 3, 2020
Facebook0Tweet0LinkedIn0Print0

CIARÁN Thompson had already shown before Sunday’s Man of the Match display against Tyrone that he had the mettle for the big day.

Thompson kicked seven points as Donegal’s 1-13 to 1-11 win dumped the Red Hands out of the 2020 Championship.

The Naomh Conaill man was nerveless, arching over five points from frees and two from play to keep Donegal’s quest for a first ever three-in-a-row of Ulster titles firmly alive.

Donegal came from behind in each half to see off their old rivals for the sixth time in their last eight Championship meetings. This year, there are no second chances. The Covid pandemic has put the padlock on the back door.

“Everything was on the line,” Thompson said.

“It was either win or go bust after a long year. We’re just delighted to be back in Ballybofey playing football and defending our Ulster Championship.

“We always knew the game was going to be a dogfight. It was that and more. The weather meant it was that and a whole lot more.”

Donegal players celebtate the full time whistle during Sunday’s game. Photo Evan Logan

The 2020 Donegal SFC final has yet to be played with Thompson’s Naomh Conaill and Kilcar left waiting.

It is thanks to Thompson that Naomh Conaill, the defending champions, are in the final. Late in extra time against St Eunan’s in the semi-final Thompson, after coming on as a substitute, bent over a wonderful winner from way out on the sideline.

It should have come as no surprise. Last year, when Naomh Conaill dethroned Gaoth Dobhair after a three-game marathon in the final, Thompson showed his worth as the captain.

A cool ’45 , with three minutes to go, earned Naomh Conaill a draw the first day out. In the first replay, Thompson kicked a last-gasp free from the tightest of angles to put the tie to extra time and he hit two points in the second replay when Naomh Conaill, finally, got their mitts on Dr Maguire.

He’s well at home in the trenches.

Ciaran Thompson with the Dr Maguire. Photo Evan Logan

And Donegal had to go to war with Tyrone on Sunday.

“By hook or crook, it was just about getting over the line,” Thompson said.

“Underfoot was extremely soft and slippery. I’m the worst man for going to ground so it made it especially tough for me. It wasn’t easy. It was so hard to keep your feet out there.

“A game between us and Tyrone will always come down to who wants it more. We showed that wee bit more around the breaking ball, driving forward and getting the crucial scores and crucial times.”

Michael Langan’s goal in the first-half kicked Donegal into life, after Tyrone led 0-5 to 0-1 at the water break.

A Darragh Canavan goal, seven minutes into the second half, after an uncharacteristic error by Eoghan Bán Gallagher, threatened to derail Donegal. The next four points, in the space of six minutes, were from Donegal – with Thompson nailing two of them.

He said: “Their goal was a defining point. It took them back into the game. We responded well to that and got a few scores on the bounce.

“That was a crucial period and we took a foothold in the game with those four points. We pushed on from there.

“There will always be mistakes in a game, but the way we responded to that mistake was admirable. The boys never gave up and we just pressed on. It never fazed us and we’re delighted with that aspect.

“It was windy there, but we adapted. We adapted well. It was a weird wind, it was for you one minute and against you the next. There were a few shots that we’d have scored on a normal day, but thankfully we came through.”

Donegal’s Thompson gun shoots for the stars after Ulster ‘dogfight’ was last modified: November 4th, 2020 by Chris McNulty
Facebook0Tweet0LinkedIn0Print0

Tags:
2020 Ulster SFCciaran thompsonDeclan BonnerdonegalDonegal GAAGlentiesMichael LanganNaomh Conaill
Chris McNulty

Author of 'Boxing In Donegal: A History (2021)' - the definitive history of the sport in County Donegal - and 'Relentless: A Race Through Time', the 2019 memoir of former Irish Athletics Team Manager Patsy McGonagle. From St Johnston and now based in Letterkenny, Chris was a nominee for NUJ Sports Journalist of the Year in 2010. Honoured by the Donegal Boxing Board in 2016 for his coverage on the sport.

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Derry name starting side for Sunday’s Ulster...

11 hours ago

Last call for inclusion of Donegal stories...

13 hours ago

Donegal hoping history stays on their side...

16 hours ago

Former Donegal star to feature on first...

22 hours ago

Picture special: Donegal fans in Clones for...

5 days ago

Podcast reveals how French company thought they’d...

5 days ago

Donegal Ladies defeated in Ulster final by...

6 days ago

‘Sometimes sport can be cruel’ – Luke...

6 days ago

Heartbreak on penalties for Donegal minors in...

6 days ago

Oisín Gallen set to miss Ulster final...

1 week ago
Advertisement
Advertisement

MOST POPULAR

Donegal County Council
Advertisement

Sport Hub

  • Stay up to date with Donegal Sport Hub on Facebook

    5 months ago
  • Donegal links rank in Top 100 Golf Courses in the World

    6 months ago
  • Bundoran 10 Event set for March 2022

    6 months ago
See More

Donegal Woman

  • Moya Brennan ‘thrilled and humbled’ with honorary doctorate

    21 hours ago
  • Donegal mum shares the unseen side of MS

    1 day ago
  • Donegal scientist joins prestigious Royal Irish Academy

    1 day ago
See More

Columnists

Healthy Living - Sorcha McElchar

Sorchas Healthy Living: All you need to know about turmeric

1 day ago

Motoring - Brian McDaid

Carrie Harvey – a community cornerstone

3 days ago

Group Holidays - Travel Department

See the world with holiday discounts from Travel Department

5 days ago

At Home with Hegarty's - Hegarty's Home Interiors

At Home with Hegarty’s: Sit back and relax in the stylish Positano Corner

1 week ago

Career Advice - Rory White

Career Guidance with Rory White: Choosing your senior cycle subjects? Keep your options open!

2 months ago

See All Columnists
Advertisement
Donegal Daily Jobs

Read More

  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Sales & Services
  • Obituaries
  • Features
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Council News

Information

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise WIth Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Our Sites

Donegal Woman
Donegal Woman
Donegal Daily

© 2022 Donegal Daily. All rights reserved.
Website by owenod


Back To Top.

Posting....