Glory for locals in blue heaven

Glory for locals in blue heaven

3 May 2017

LINFIELD were crowned Irish League champions for the first time in five years on Saturday and two local men played their part in the success.

Killyleagh’s David Healy, Northern Ireland’s record-breaking goalscorer and now manager at Windsor Park was more than grateful to have Crossgar’s Andy Waterworth leading the Blues attack.

Waterworth, the former Kilmore Rec striker and a member of the famous McCarthy dynasty, scored a sensational hat-trick as Linfield came from behind on Saturday to beat Cliftonville 3-1 and win the Gibson Cup for the 52nd time.

Linfield’s title aspirwations looked to be in real danger when Daniel Hughes headed in to give Cliftonville the lead with 14 minutes gone, but Waterworth, the club’s top scorer for the past few seasons, sprung into life after the break and his second half treble was enough to have the Linfield faithful singing the Blues.

And it could get even better for Healy and his side as they face Coleraine in the Irish Cup final on Saturday.

Healy, who only took over at Windsor Park in October 2015, masterminded a sensational finish to the season after his side trailed Crusaders by nine points in the race to be crowned champions.

However, Linfield went on an amazing run, picking up 43 points from a possible 45, to take advantage of Crusaders’ slip-ups and no one was happier than the Killyleagh man at the final whistle.

“For me to move my family and kids back over to Northern Ireland was a big wrench because they have been brought up predominantly in England or Scotland,” Healy said.

“So to see the pride and buzz my son, daughter and wife had after the game and how happy they were for me was really special. It makes it all worthwhile.

“When I was given the opportunity to manage Linfield, you don’t know if you’re ready. And after losing those four games on the bounce, maybe I wasn’t ready. But sometimes you’ve got to feel the pain to fully appreciate the good times. And when people write you off, you enjoy it a little bit sweeter,” he added.

“The Linfield board has come in for huge criticism for many different things, but since I stepped in the door at Windsor Park, they have been nothing but first class to me. This is where I want to be and I’m privileged and fortunate to be Linfield manager.”

“I want Linfield to continue improving. Whether that’s the Swifts or the Academy, I want us to be the best. Personally, I want to be better and the players want to be better. The players have bought into that and that’s why they are champions.

“No matter when I leave Linfield, I want whoever my successor is to think this club’s in a really good place.”