Ciarán Thompson

Ciarán Thompson
Personal information
Irish name Ciarán Mac Thomáis[1]
Sport Gaelic football
Born 1994/5
Height 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Occupation Student
Club(s)
Years Club
201?–
 Naomh Conaill
Club titles
Donegal titles 5
Inter-county(ies)
Years County Apps (scores)
2016–
 Donegal 49
Ulster titles 2

Ciarán Thompson (born 1994/5) is an Irish Gaelic footballer who plays for Naomh Conaill and the Donegal county team.

He is a ciotóg.[2]

Playing career

Club

Thompson played in the 2015 Donegal Senior Football Championship final, which his club won, and scored a point.[3]

The 2019 Donegal Senior Football Championship final was a three-game affair; Thompson scored a '45 in the first game, 0–3 in the second game (one of which was from a free) and 0–3 in the third game (one of which was a '45).[4] He captained his club to the title. Then he led his club to the 2019 Ulster Senior Club Football Championship final, a first for the club since 2010 when Thompson was aged 15.[2] He also captained his club to the 2020 Donegal Senior Football Championship, scoring a penalty in the first half of the final and another in the shootout that decided the game, delayed until August 2021 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Gaelic games.[5]

Then he won the 2022 Donegal Senior Football Championship, scoring four points in the final, three of which were frees.[6][7][8] He also won the 2023 Donegal Senior Football Championship, scoring 0–3 in the final against Gaoth Dobhair.[9][10][11]

Inter-county

First featuring for his county at senior level under the management of Rory Gallagher, Thompson was first called up ahead of the 2016 season as one of twelve new recruits, alongside such players as Eoghan Bán Gallagher, Caolan McGonagle and Stephen McMenamin.[12] Thompson played twice during Donegal's Division One campaign in the 2016 National Football League: first he started the league opener against Down and scored an early point and assisted two second-half goals on his league debut,[13] then he started and scored a point in the next fixture against Cork.[14]

He made a substitute appearance in the 2016 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship quarter-final against Dublin at Croke Park.[15]

Thompson started for Donegal against Kerry in the opening round of the 2017 National Football League, scoring three points.[16] He scored another three points in the next game, against Roscommon.[17] He scored two points in the next game against Dublin, both from frees.[18] In the next game against Cavan, he scored five points, the first from a distance of 45 metres and one of which was a free, during a man-of-the-match performance.[19] He scored three points against Tyrone in the next game.[20] He followed this up with a point in the next game against Monaghan and two more points in the last game against Mayo.[21][22]

Thompson started the 2017 Ulster Senior Football Championship quarter-final against Antrim and scored 0–4 (three of which were frees).[23] He then started the semi-final loss to Tyrone.[24] He also started the 2017 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifier defeat of Meath at Páirc Tailteann.[25]

Under the management of Declan Bonner, Thompson made a substitute appearance in the opening fixture of the 2018 National Football League against Kerry in Killarney.[26] He also made a substitute appearance in the next game against Galway.[27] He started the next game away to Dublin and scored a point.[28] He made a substitute appearance in the fourth game against Kildare.[29] He started the fifth game against Tyrone.[30] He made a substitute appearance in the sixth game against Monaghan and scored a point.[31] He started the seventh game against Mayo and scored a point.[32]

Thompson started the 2018 Ulster Senior Football Championship final, scoring 0–3 (including one free) as Donegal defeated Fermanagh.[33] He had previously started the preliminary round against Cavan (scoring 0–3), the quarter-final against Derry and the semi-final against Down (scoring 0–1).[34][35][36]

Thompson started and scored two points against Clare in the opening fixture of the 2019 National Football League in Ennis.[37] He scored five points (including two frees) against Meath in the second fixture.[38] He scored four points (including two frees, one sideline) in the third fixture against Tipperary.[39] He scored a point from a free in the fourth fixture against Fermanagh and did likewise in the fifth fixture against Armagh and the sixth fixture against Cork.[40][41][42]

Thompson started the 2019 Ulster Senior Football Championship final, and scored two points as Donegal defeated Cavan.[43] He had previously started against Fermanagh in the quarter-final (scoring a point) and made a substitute appearance against Tyrone in the semi-final.[44][45]

As of 2019, Thompson had 49 appearances for the Donegal senior team since his debut in 2016.[2]

Thompson started Donegal's first five fixtures of the 2020 National Football League against Mayo (scoring four points, three of which were frees), Meath (scoring one point from a free), Galway (scoring a goal and a point from a free), Dublin (scoring two points, one of which was a free) and Monaghan (scoring one point).[46][47][48][49][50] Then the COVID-19 pandemic brought play to a halt. Play resumed behind closed doors on 18 October with a home game against Tyrone; Thompson started that game and scored two points from frees.[51] He scored five points (two of which were frees) in the concluding game of the league campaign (away to Kerry).[52][53] Thompson then started the 2020 Ulster Senior Football Championship victory against Tyrone, scoring seven points (five of which were frees).[54] He was named RTÉ man of the match, though the BBC chose Michael Langan.[55] Thompson also started the semi-final victory against Armagh, scoring two points (one of which was a free).[56] Thompson sustained an injury during training ahead of the 2020 Ulster Senior Football Championship final and could only make a substitute appearance in the game.[57] He did not score in what proved to be the season's concluding game for his team.[58]

Thompson started each of Donegal's four fixtures of the 2021 National Football League, against Tyrone, Monaghan, Armagh and Dublin, scoring two points each against Tyrone and Monaghan, one point against Armagh and no points against Dublin.[59][60][61][62] In the 2021 Ulster Senior Football Championship, he started each of Donegal's three fixtures, scoring a point each against Down in the opening round and against Tyrone in the semi-final but was held scoreless against Derry in the quarter-final.[63][64][65]

Thompson started Donegal's opening fixture of the 2022 National Football League, against Mayo but was substituted for Jason McGee after ten minutes.[66] He missed the next game against Kildare.[67] He started the third game, away to Kerry, and the fourth game, at home to Tyrone, but was held scoreless.[68][69] In the next game, against Monaghan, he started but was substituted for Michael Murphy after 28 minutes.[70] He did not play in the last two fixtures, away to Dublin and against Armagh at O'Donnell Park.[71][72]

In the 2022 Ulster Senior Football Championship, Thompson started both of Donegal's first two fixtures, the quarter-final against Armagh and the semi-final against Cavan, scoring a point against each opponent.[73][74] He made a substitute appearance in the final against Derry during extra-time.[75] He also started the 2022 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship qualifier loss to Armagh, scoring a point.[76]

Honours

Donegal
Naomh Conaill
Individual

References

  1. ^ "Two changes for clash with Roscommon". Donegal News. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  2. ^ a b c Ferry, Ryan (28 November 2019). "Thompson takes up lead role". Donegal News. p. 76.
  3. ^ a b Foley, Alan (19 October 2015). "Gutsy Naomh Conaill edge to glory". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 19 October 2015.
  4. ^ a b GAME 1: Campbell, Peter (20 October 2019). "Ulster champions Gaoth Dobhair face Donegal decider replay after draw against Naomh Conaill". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 20 October 2019. GAME 2: O'Kane, Cahair (28 October 2019). "Gaoth Dobhair and Naomh Conaill proving inseparable". The Irish News. Retrieved 28 October 2019. GAME 3: Campbell, Peter (30 October 2019). "Naomh Conaill prevail in Donegal decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 30 October 2019.
  5. ^ a b c Campbell, Peter (14 August 2021). "Naomh Conaill claim Donegal title after penalty shoot-out win against Kilcar". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2021. …and Thompson joined a unique band of players who have lifted the Dr Maguire Cup for a second successive time.
  6. ^ "Naomh Conaill win Donegal SFC title after narrow victory over St Eunan's". The Irish Times. 15 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  7. ^ Foley, Alan (15 October 2022). "Controversy as Naomh Conaill crowned Donegal kings against 14-man St Eunan's: Shane O'Donnell's sending off was the major talking point after Naomh Conaill's one-point win". The42.ie. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  8. ^ a b "Naomh Conaill edge 14-man St Eunan's to regain Donegal SFC title". RTÉ Sport. 15 October 2022. Retrieved 15 October 2022.
  9. ^ a b Campbell, Peter (22 October 2023). "Magnificent seven for Naomh Conaill in Donegal decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Donegal SFC final: Charles McGuinness leads way to Naomh Conaill's seventh title". Irish Independent. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  11. ^ "Naomh Conaill outclass Gaoth Dobhair 1–16 to 1–8 in Donegal Football Final". BBC Sport. 22 October 2023. Retrieved 22 October 2023.
  12. ^ Maguire, Gerry (24 November 2015). "Rory Gallagher puts his faith in youth with minor promotions". The Irish News. Retrieved 24 November 2015. The new players on the squad are Danny Rodgers (Dungloe), Stephen McMenamin (Red Hugh's), Kieran Gillespie (Gaoth Dobhair), Michael Carroll (Gaoth Dobhair), Eoin Bán Gallagher (Killybegs), Ciarán Thompson (Naomh Conaill), Stephen McBrearty (Kilcar), Caolan McGonigle (Buncrana), Jack O'Brien (Naomh Muire), Tony McClenaghan (Moville), Rory Carr (St Eunan's) and Caolan Ward (St Eunan's). With the exception of Ward, all of the above are in the 19-20 age bracket.
  13. ^ Bannon, Orla (30 January 2016). "Disastrous return to Division One for Down as Donegal run riot in Newry". Irish Independent. Retrieved 30 January 2016.
  14. ^ "Cork crash to 10-point defeat as impressive Donegal go top of Division 1". The42.ie. 7 February 2016. Retrieved 7 February 2016.
  15. ^ Crowe, Dermot (7 August 2016). "Stuttering Dubs show their fallibility". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
  16. ^ Foley, Alan (5 February 2017). "Geaney at the double as Kerry achieve first opening round league win under Fitzmaurice". The42.ie. Retrieved 5 February 2017.
  17. ^ Rooney, Declan (12 February 2017). "Donegal prevail late on against Roscommon". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 12 February 2017.
  18. ^ Foley, Alan (26 February 2017). "Murphy's injury-time free rescues a draw for Donegal as Dublin extend unbeaten run to 32 games". The42.ie. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
  19. ^ Fitzpatrick, Paul (4 March 2017). "Donegal strike early to see off Cavan". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 4 March 2017.
  20. ^ Kelly, Kevin (18 March 2017). "Allianz FL D1: Donegal too good for Tyrone". Retrieved 18 March 2017.
  21. ^ Foley, Alan (27 March 2017). "Late escape for Monaghan as Donegal pay penalty". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 27 March 2017.
  22. ^ Gannon, Colm (2 April 2017). "Aidan O'Shea's late introduction proves decisive as Mayo see off Donegal to avoid relegation". The42.ie. Retrieved 2 April 2017.
  23. ^ Foley, Alan (21 May 2017). "Paddy McGrath among the goalscorers as Donegal blitz Antrim to advance in Ulster". The42.ie. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  24. ^ "The pendulum has swung decisively in Tyrone's favour in the battle of Ulster's giants following a runaway win at Clones". Irish Examiner. 18 June 2017. Retrieved 18 June 2017.
  25. ^ Keane, Paul (8 July 2017). "Round 3A Qualifier: Donegal edge thriller". Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  26. ^ O'Toole, Fintan (28 January 2018). "Casey hits winning point, O'Shea fires 0–7 and 3 red cards shown in Kerry Donegal clash". The42.ie. Retrieved 28 January 2018.
  27. ^ Foley, Alan (4 February 2018). "Last-gasp Galway snatch victory in Donegal to make it two from two". The42.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2018.
  28. ^ O'Brien, Kevin (10 February 2018). "Dublin survive strong Donegal fightback to make it three wins from three". The42.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2018.
  29. ^ Campbell, Peter (25 February 2018). "Donegal scrape by 14-man Kildare in relegation dogfight". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  30. ^ Bogue, Declan (10 March 2018). "Two-goal Tyrone move closer to safety with big win over Donegal in Omagh". The42.ie. Retrieved 10 March 2018.
  31. ^ Graham, John (18 March 2018). "Monaghan ease past relegation-threatened Donegal". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 18 March 2018.
  32. ^ Gannon, Colm (25 March 2018). "McLoughlin's stunning 74th minute equaliser sees Mayo survive the drop and Donegal suffer relegation". The42.ie. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  33. ^ a b Mooney, Francis (24 June 2018). "Energetic Donegal end Fermanagh's Ulster title dream". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 24 June 2018.
  34. ^ McNulty, Chris (13 May 2018). "Ulster SFC: Donegal too good for Cavan". Retrieved 13 May 2018.
  35. ^ Mooney, Francis (27 May 2018). "McBrearty excels to fire Donegal past Derry". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  36. ^ Mooney, Francis (10 June 2018). "14-man Donegal cruise past Down into Ulster decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 10 June 2018.
  37. ^ Lynch, Derrick (27 January 2019). "Missing a host of regulars, Donegal come away from Clare with victory". The42.ie. Retrieved 27 January 2019.
  38. ^ Campbell, Peter (2 February 2019). "Fortuitous goal sees Donegal come back to beat Meath". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 2 February 2019.
  39. ^ Fallon, John (10 February 2019). "Casey strikes late goal as Tipp come back to shock Donegal". The42.ie. Retrieved 10 February 2019.
  40. ^ Campbell, Peter (24 February 2019). "Fermanagh rally against 13-man Donegal to stay unbeaten in Division 2". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 24 February 2019.
  41. ^ Foley, Alan (2 March 2019). "Super sub Murphy makes decisive impact in narrow win for Donegal". The42.ie. Retrieved 2 March 2019.
  42. ^ Hurley, Denis (16 March 2019). "Cork on brink of drop to Division 3 as Donegal power home". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 16 March 2019.
  43. ^ a b Sweeney, Peter (23 June 2019). "Donegal power past Cavan to claim Ulster title". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 23 June 2019.
  44. ^ Mooney, Francis (26 May 2019). "Donegal overcome Fermanagh in Ulster arm-wrestle". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  45. ^ Mooney, Francis (8 June 2019). "Donegal power past Tyrone to make Ulster decider". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 8 June 2019.
  46. ^ "FL1: Durcan delivers late as Mayo hold Donegal". Hogan Stand. 25 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  47. ^ Keane, Paul (2 February 2020). "Classy Donegal put Meath to the sword at Navan". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  48. ^ McNulty, Chris (9 February 2020). "Allianz FL D1: Galway secure valuable victory". Retrieved 9 February 2020.
  49. ^ "Mannion goal crucial as Dubs reel in Donegal". RTÉ Sport. 22 February 2020. Retrieved 22 February 2020.
  50. ^ Foley, Alan (1 March 2020). "McFadden and Ward hit the net as Donegal claim easy victory over Monaghan". The42.ie. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  51. ^ McNulty, Chris (18 October 2020). "Allianz FL D1: Donegal defeat Tyrone". Retrieved 18 October 2020.
  52. ^ "Understrength Donegal well beaten by Kerry". Donegal News. 24 October 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  53. ^ Brennan, Paul (24 October 2020). "Allianz FL D1: Kerry crowned League champions". Retrieved 24 October 2020.
  54. ^ Keys, Colm (1 November 2020). "Donegal in pole-position for Ulster three-in-a-row after dumping Tyrone out of Championship". Irish Independent. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  55. ^ "Michael Langan was BBC man of match Rte picked Ciarán Thompson". 1 November 2020. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  56. ^ Bogue, Declan (14 November 2020). "Donegal ease past Armagh to reach yet another Ulster final". The42.ie. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  57. ^ Bonner, Declan (26 November 2020). "Painful defeat in Ulster final". Donegal News. p. 63. Oisin Gallen and Ciaran Thompson picked up injuries at training last Tuesday night. Oisin wasn't able to play, while Ciaran was only able to come on as a sub…
  58. ^ O'Brien, Kevin (22 November 2020). "As it happened: Donegal v Cavan, Ulster senior football final". The42.ie. Retrieved 22 November 2020.
  59. ^ Bogue, Declan (15 May 2021). "Allianz FL D1 North: Donegal edge Tyrone". Retrieved 15 May 2021.
  60. ^ McNulty, Chris (22 May 2021). "Allianz FL D1 North: Spoils shared in Ballybofey". Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  61. ^ Bogue, Declan (29 May 2021). "Allianz FL D1 North: Donegal finish strongly to earn important point". Retrieved 29 May 2021.
  62. ^ Campbell, Peter (14 June 2021). "Dublin share title with Kerry after defeating Donegal". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 14 June 2021.
  63. ^ Bogue, Declan (27 June 2021). "Donegal signal their intent with Ulster Championship trouncing of Down". The42.ie. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
  64. ^ Foley, Alan (11 July 2021). "McBrearty kicks late winner as Donegal squeeze past Derry". The42.ie. Retrieved 11 July 2021.
  65. ^ Bogue, Declan (18 July 2021). "Murphy sent off as Tyrone edge out 14-man Donegal to book Ulster final spot". The42.ie. Retrieved 18 July 2021.
  66. ^ Finnerty, Mike (30 January 2022). "Rob Hennelly the hero as Mayo snatch draw against Donegal in Allianz Football League". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  67. ^ Campbell, Peter (6 February 2022). "Donegal have too much for Kildare despite losing Michael Murphy". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 6 February 2022.
  68. ^ Brennan, Paul (20 February 2022). "Kerry impress as victory over Donegal sends them top of Division 1". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  69. ^ Campbell, Peter (26 February 2022). "Goals crucial as gritty Donegal see off Tyrone". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 26 February 2022.
  70. ^ Campbell, Peter (13 March 2022). "Monaghan end Donegal's Ballybofey record to maintain Division 1 survival hope". RTÉ Sport. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  71. ^ Keane, Paul (20 March 2022). "Allianz FL D1: Dublin finish strongly against Donegal". Retrieved 20 March 2022.
  72. ^ McNulty, Chris (27 March 2022). "Donegal hang on for win as things get hot and heavy with Armagh". The Irish Times. Retrieved 27 March 2022.
  73. ^ Watters, Andy (25 April 2022). "Donegal cruise to victory over mis-firing Armagh in Ulster Championship quarter-final". The Irish News. Retrieved 25 April 2022.
  74. ^ Haughey, John (8 May 2022). "Donegal 2–16 Cavan 0–16: Tir Conaill men survive Breffni onslaught to reach Ulster decider". BBC Sport. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
  75. ^ Bogue, Declan (29 May 2022). "Derry outscored Donegal 0–4 to 0–2 in the extra-time period". The42.ie. Retrieved 29 May 2022.
  76. ^ Bogue, Declan (12 June 2022). "Armagh power past Donegal to book All-Ireland quarter-final". The42.ie. Retrieved 12 June 2022.
  77. ^ "Three Donegal players in shake up for All Stars". Donegal News. 15 January 2021. Retrieved 15 January 2021.
  78. ^ "Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh do Chiarán Thompson". RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta. 20 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
  79. ^ "Seven county players gain Gaelic Life awards". Donegal News. 16 January 2020. p. 73. …Anthony Thompson, Ciaran Thompson from Naomh Conaill along with Buncrana's Caolan McGonagle were all named on the football team. The Thompsons and Caolan McGonagle were unable to attend the event though their awards were collected in their absence.
  80. ^ "Football Team of the Year 2019".