Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
MAGIC IN HEAT OF THE MOMENT
Healy urged star to boldly go where he hadn’t before
PAUL HEATLEY has scored some stunning goals as a Crusaders player – but few as eye catching as Saturday’s opener against Glenavon at Seaview.
Latching onto a Jordan Forsythe cross into the area, Heatley’s acrobatics drew gasps from the crowd as he bicycle kicked home from eight yards out.
“I was delighted to see it hit the back of the net and I think we fully deserved the three points,” said the Crues winger.
A Philip Lowry header and David Cushley penalty had given the Crues 2-1 and 3-2 leads after Rhys Marshall and Andrew Mitchell, from the spot, were on target for the visitors.
Glenavon were given a chance to level with the last kick of the game but Josh Daniels’ penalty was saved by Crues keeper Sean O’neill.
Elsewhere, a Joe
Gormley brace and goals from Garry Breen and Ryan Curran eased Cliftonville up to third with a 4-0 win over Dungannon Swifts at Stangmore Park.
Larne climbed into the top half with a comfortable 4-1 win over struggling Institute, who unveiled
Sean Connor as their new manager.
Johnny Mcmurray and Marty Donnelly both bagged doubles for the Inver Park men, who lost keeper Conor Mitchell to a 47th minute red card.
Stewart Nixon scored a hat-trick as Carrick Rangers climbed out of the bottom three with a commanding 3-0 win over pointless Warrenpoint Town at Milltown. LINFIELD boss David Healy revealed a word in Kirk Millar’s ear paid a huge dividend in Saturday’s Big Two clash with Glentoran.
With the clock ticking down and the game heading for stalemate, Millar kept his cool to send the home fans at Windsor Park into a frenzy.
It was fitting that the best move of a pulsating game brought about the breakthrough with only three minutes left.
French ace Bastien Hery was the architect with a dazzling solo run, while Joel Cooper and Mark Stafford were also involved before Millar provided the finish. Healy just couldn’t hide his delight as he raced down the touchline to celebrate with his players.
“I keep telling Kirk he should score more goals and I had a word with him before the game,” he said. “I urged him to gamble by getting into the box more.
“He has been a big player for me since I came to the club. In the big games it’s important the big players stand up and he didn’t disappoint.
“His one moment of magic won the game for us. I was delighted for him.
“Kirk signed a new long-term contract in midweek, so it was the perfect way to end the week. “He took his chance superbly well and showed great composure. Everyone was urging him to take on a shot when he got the ball, but he cleverly cut inside before putting it away.” Healy felt it was a huge three points, given that his boys are playing catch-up in terms of games and points because of their success in the Europa League. “It doesn’t matter how we did it, but it was important to get the three points,” he added. “I thought we were the better team over the 90 minutes.”
Glentoran manager Mick Mcdermott (inset), who sampled his first taste of Big Two action, was disappointed not to hold out for a point.
“If Robbie Mcdaid’s header drops in instead of hitting the crossbar, then it’s a different ball game,” he said.
“I thought both teams would have settled for a point in the last five minutes, but derbies are derbies. I suppose it was cruel way to lose it.
“I have no complaints in terms of effort and enthusiasm.
“Our fans gave the boys a standing ovation on the way off, so they knew every one of them put in a shift.”