FINISHING SCHOOL

Healy is hammering home importance of taking nothing for granted in pursuit of glory

DAVID HEALY might have hung his boots up several years ago but he remains as obsessed with finishing as ever.

Northern Ireland’s record goalscorer is on the verge of leading Linfield to their third consecutive league title, with his side 11 points clear at the top of the table following Saturday’s hard-fought 2-1 home win over Ballymena United.

Casual observers could be forgiven for thinking the Blues will cruise to the chequered flag with just six games left to play but Healy is adamant that there can be no let-up until the race is run.

Indeed, the most the 41-yearold will concede is that “the players have put themselves in a good position” as they head towards the end-of-season split.

“They keep delivering big results and performances that they can be proud of,” said Healy.

“There have been a lot of challenges along the way against a lot of good teams so we’ll continue to do what we do.”

Asked if this title would mean more to him after some critics questioned the validity of last year’s success due to the season being cut short, Healy opted to keep his cards close to his chest – for now.

He said: “We’ll worry about getting over the line first.

“Let’s get three or four games down the line and then we’ll see.”

Saturday’s result owed much to the enduring quality of Kirk Millar, whose wing play lit up Windsor Park and unhinged Ballymena’s stubborn backline.

The 28-year-old whipped in a gem of a cross from the left wing for Mark Haughey to plant a fine header into the net early on. Shay Mccartan then showed a similar level of refined technique to equalise with a peach of a freekick but Millar came up trumps again midway through the second half, skinning Ross Redman down the right before putting the ball on a plate for Shayne Lavery to nod in the winner.

“Kirk’s vision and quality of delivery is second to none,” said Haughey, who was delighted to notch his first goal of the season. “He’s been consistently doing that every week, year in, year out.”

Sky Blues boss David Jeffrey was more than happy with how his injury-cursed team performed at the National Stadium but acknowledged Millar’s ability can be hard to cope with.

“It was a fabulous cross for the first goal,” he said. “They were two quality goals. There’s no point saying anything else and that quality, on occasions, you just can’t bridge.

“I said to our players that it’s fine lines and thin margins. I thought we played tremendously well.

“The quality of the performance is a consolation but I’m just gutted to lose.”

Linfield Coleraine Glentoran Larne Cliftonville Crusaders Ballymena Glenavon Warrenpoint Portadown Carrick Dungannon

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