Anthony Thompson: New rules are a disruptor that’s levelling the playing field 

Anthony Thompson says the new playing rules have had a serious impact on the club championship landscape in Donegal. 

The 2012 All-Ireland winner (39) is into his 22nd season with Naomh Conaill and, along the way, has been instrumental in helping the club to seven SFC titles.  

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The Glenties side’s initial breakthrough famously came back in 2005 when an energetic crop of youngsters, led by the likes of Thompson and Leo McLoone, finally helped veterans Jim McGuinness, John Gildea and Paddy Campbell over the winners’ line. 

Since then, Naomh Conaill, alongside St Eunan’s, have been the dominant forces in Donegal club football. 

But with the reigning champions from Letterkenny falling to Termon last time out, it seemed like last term’s IFC winners were on their way to another significant giant kill last weekend as they led 2-11 to 1-8 with five minutes to go in a dramatic semi-final tussle. 

However, Naomh Conaill would rally down the stretch. And 1-4 without reply inside those closing moments somehow tipped the scales back their direction. 

“It didn’t look good,” Thompson admitted. “We pulled a goal and a point back before half-time, which felt important as we would have went in nine down. But we again found ourselves cast adrift down the stretch. 

“Termon are a very good team, they have loads of quality and loads of legs and we knew it was going to be a huge task. 

“Fair play to Max Campbell, he pulled low and hard on the ball and it took a wee nick off someone and ended up in the back of the net. 

“The attitude with us has always been to go to the whistle. There have been other days too, over the years, when we’ve pulled it out of the fire. I suppose it’s a habit in that sense then. 

“Once our goal went in, it just shifted the momentum. And it was all about getting hands on that next kickout. Big Kieran Gallagher did that with an almighty fetch and Finnbarr Roarty did the rest. 

“Finnbarr on his right peg, you don’t like to see that too often, but I was glad to see it fly between the posts”. 

Ahead of a semi-final clash with Four Masters this Sunday, Thompson admits that Naomh Conaill have yet to really click. 

The young Donegal Town side are an emerging group and one that is expected to reach the top at some stage in the next few seasons. 

But much like Naomh Conaill did 20 years ago, when they upset St Eunan’s to land a first-ever Dr Maguire Cup, Masters will see Termon’s near miss as a blueprint of sorts ahead of this weekend’s semi-final tangle.

Still, Thompson says there are two ways to look at their disjointed form to date, which also included a pair of group stage losses to Glenswilly and St Michael’s. 

“We haven’t clicked or found that top gear just yet. We started slowly in most games. But that experience, we seem to be able to hang on in there in games or at least when it really matters.  

“When we get a sniff… you’re never beat until you’re actually beat. And that in itself is at least one huge positive so far”.

Thompson says the new playing rules are taking some getting used to. Naomh Conaill were a side that played the game very much on their terms in years gone by. 

But the chaotic elements the Football Review Committee (FRC) introduced this season means there is much less control there now. 

And that has left the likes of St Eunan’s and Naomh Conaill looking unusually vulnerable. 

Thompson says that you’re constantly thinking on your feet right now as the momentum pendulum swings wildly in most games. 

“I’m still getting my head around them. It’s definitely a different game. Others will call you an experienced head in there but I’d take my old legs back any day of the week! 

“The ‘three up’ infringement, you’re always looking along the line to make sure you aren’t breaching that. 

“You’re thinking all the time but the pace of things around you is that fast it’s a difficult balance. 

“You see a play developing and the first instinct is to go but you have to look over both shoulders to see where everyone else is at. 

“Because it’s a real kick in the teeth to think you’re chasing a score or something might be on to then be called back for an infringement and the close range free given up the other end”.

Naomh Conaill’s development system continues to churn out high-calibre players with the likes of Max Campbell, Shea Malone and, cherry on top, Finnbarr Roarty, all seamlessly stepping up to adult football with minimal fuss. 

Not only that, Thompson rightly points out that trio was the crucial element salvaging their SFC aspirations last time out. 

“We always look to bring one or two lads in every year as it just keeps the thing fresh and it just adds competition.  It keeps the more experienced lads like myself going too.

“It’s no exaggeration to say those lads stepped up and rescued the whole thing there.  

“Like I explained, though, a game is never safe. You could have been four up down the stretch in other years and you’d easily see that out. 

“Now, you could be six or even eight clear at one stage and then you’re reeled back in. It can turn in a flash. The two-pointer means no lead is all that secure”.