Healy homeward bound?

Colin Healy in his Ireland heyday....

            Cork City FC are ramping up preparation for their upcoming return to the highest level of Irish football by today meeting with former star and Ireland international Colin Healy.  The Ballincollig native spoke to City boss Tommy Dunne after having his contract with English Championship club Ipswich Town terminated by mutual consent this week.
           The Cork man has had little luck with injuries.  He played for Celtic and latterly Sunderland, before breaking his leg twice in the space of six months.  He never reached football's highest level after the second break.  His second leg break came in early 2004;  having earned 13 caps for the Republic of Ireland.  Ironically enough it was a training ground tackle from the Ireland manager who gave him his international break -Mick McCarthy - that caused his second career threatening rupture.

...and starring for Cork City

            The then 23 year old was out of the game for six months and bounced from club to club before signing for Cork City FC in summer 2007.  Healy immediately impressed and won the FAI Cup and Setanta Sports Cup in his two seasons with the club.  Ipswich Town picked him up in pre-season 2009 but Healy struggled to break into the first team.  Whilst some lower league English clubs have looked at Healy, Rebel Army boss Tommy Dunne is optimistic of securing the services of the well travelled 31 year old.  Experience like his would prove invaluable for a club returning to the highest level of football in Ireland.
            In further transfer news;  Cork City have re-signed defender Ian Turner whilst former Bohemians boss Pat Fenlon (pictured left) has become the new manager of Scottish Premier League (SPL) side Hibernian.  Fenlon moves to Easter Road on a two-and-a-half year contract with the target for the season being a Scottish Cup win and a top five league finish.  The Edinburgh club currently lie ninth in the SPL- just two points above the relegation zone midway through the season.