Thompson’s career cut short by injury

Former Ireland international John Thompson says he’s still recovering from the horror challenge which forced him to retire yesterday at just 31.

The Dubliner, one of seven players from Brian Kerr’s 1998 U16 European Champions to gain senior recognition, was most recently with Mansfield, who won promotion back to the football league.

In 2011, Thompson and two Mansfield team-mates were seriously injured and left hospitalised by Ilkeston player-coach Gary Ricketts during a pre-season friendly.