Big week for Thompson

The 29-year-old who helped his club side maintain their title push following victory over Glendermott on Saturday, played in the North’s defeat to the South in an Ireland challenge game, before heading off with Ireland A for their match against Durham II’s, before flying home to face his old side Donemana in the prestigious Northern Bank Senior Cup Final.

The three day Ireland A game at Darlington gets underway tomorrow (Tuesday) and Thompson concedes no matter the result he’s going to give his all and try to force his way into Phil Simmons’ senior set-up.

“It’s a big week and to be honest it could be the biggest week in my career but I’m looking forward to it,” he admitted.

“I’m delighted to be called up to the Ireland A squad, to be honest I didn’t think at 29 I would get a call-up but it’s happened.

“I’m having a good season as are Brigade, so I’m glad to have got the call and I went Durham today (Monday), so it should be a good experience.

“I was up at the Bangladesh game on Friday and it’s just unbelievable the set-up, the back-room staff and everything about the Ireland set-up now is great.

“It’s fantastic to get the call up to the Ireland A side, but I’m looking to try and aim higher and maybe force my way into the senior squad. All I have to do is give 100 per cent every game with either Brigade or Ireland A and try my best, so if that works it may mean I get the call up to the senior team.”

The Donemana man, who this season has scored over 700 runs and has taken 21 wickets Thompson has been playing some of the finest cricket of his career and he wants that to continue, especially this week.

“Because it’s a three day game against Durham, I’m hoping to get batting and bowling and see how I get on.

“I played against Glendermott in the league on Saturday, then I played for the North against South match, before heading off on Monday then back from Durham on Thursday before the Senior Cup Final on Friday and Saturday, it doesn’t really get much bigger than that.”