ANTHONY Thompson asks for “the same again please” as Glenties clash with Clontibret, at Omagh on Saturday, in the Ulster Club semi-finals.
He wants a repeat of the clubs' battle at Ballybofey in 2012 when the Donegal championships came out best.
“I remember that game in Ballybofey. It is the only time I can remember playing against Clontibret and, thankfully, we won that day. I certainly would like the same result again after the hectic month we have had,” stressed 'man-of-the-moment' Thompson who was crucial to Naomh Conaill's success during October when Glenties and Gweedore played out a marathon.
Glenties, of course, in the end swiped the Donegal SFC title from the Gweedore heads and have since cleared the first hurdle in Ulster.
For half-back Thompson's contribution to his team regaining the Tír Chonail title he has won the Quinn Building Contracts sponsored Ulster GAA Writers' Merit Award for October and he collected his award at a reception hosted in the Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran.
“Having to play Gweedore three times in the Donegal final was surely energy sapping and, in the end, there was only a kick of the ball between us. It was a marathon, indeed, and I am glad we came out on the right end of the scoreline.
“We were left with only a few days to prepare for the Ulster quarter-final against the Cavan champions and, thankfully, we managed to get over that hurdle to play Clontibret.
“That will be another fierce battle, no doubt.
“I'm delighted to receive the Merit Award for October but, in truth, it was a month when all the players in our team performed superbly. It was a team performance throughout,” he insisted.
Site engineer Thompson, soon to celebrate his 34th birthday, is having a wonderful 2019 so far. He was married earlier in the year, has won a Donegal SFC medal and now collected the October Merit Award. His vast experience was a telling factor in those battles with Gweedore as he edged in front of some of his team mates, such as Leo McLoone, to earn him the monthly award.
Anthony has won a few other individual honours, including the Man of the Match award in the first game against Gweedore.
He likes driving forward from half-back and has got his name on the scoresheet.
Now he adds the October Merit Award to his other trophies such as a Sam Maguire Cup medal, four Ulster SFC county medals and three other Donegal championship awards.
The Tír Chonail man, who joined the Donegal senior team in 2006, out-scored the likes of Monaghan full-back Conor Boyle, Farney footballer Cora Courtney and Edendork player Niamh Maxwell for the October award after a cram packed month of club activity.
