David Healy's history making achievements know no end. Northern Ireland's
leading goalscorer of all time re-wrote the history books once again last
night when he was named as the Harp Northern Ireland Football Writers
International Personality of the Year.
In terms of goals scored the 2007-08 season wasn't Healy's most productive
in a Northern Ireland shirt, but it was what his three goals in the Euro
2008 qualifiers ultimately led to which netted the Killyleagh man the
writers' prize.
Healy struck ten goals in the opening six games of the European - including
hat-tricks against Spain and Liechtenstein - and followed those up in the
second half of the campaign by scoring another two against Liechtenstein
before grabbing the winner in the penultimate game at home to Denmark.
Not only did that goal give Northern Ireland hope of making the finals as
they went into the final match away to Spain, it also saw Healy break
Croatian striker Davor Suker's record of a dozen goals in a European
qualifying series.
And after winning the award last year to complete a hat-trick, having also
claimed it in 2000 and 2005, Healy has now superseded his own record by
becoming the first international player to be given the accolade on four
occasions.
In total Healy scored four international goals during the season, with the
other coming in the March friendly at home to Georgia, taking his overall
tally to an amazing 34 goals in 64 appearances for his country.
That goal against Georgia was all the more special because prior to the game
he was given a special award by UEFA President Michel Platini to recognise
his record-breaking feat in the Euro 2008 series.
Fresh from helping Fulham maintain their Premier League status on Sunday,
Healy also received an award from the writers to mark those 13 goals in the
campaign at last night's gala dinner in Belfast's Europa Hotel Healy also
Northern Ireland fans will now hope that Healy's goal-rush continues when
the 2010 World Cup campaign kicks-off in September, with a trip to South
Africa the target.
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