Colin Healy facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Colin Healy

Healy playing for Cork City in 2007
Personal information
Full name	Colin Healy
Date of birth	(1980-03-14) 14 March 1980 (age 45)
Place of birth	Cork, Ireland
Height	5 ft 9 in (1.75 m)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Youth career
1997	Ballincollig and Wilton United
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1998–2003	Celtic	30	(1)
2002–2003	→ Coventry City (loan)	17	(2)
2003–2006	Sunderland	20	(0)
2006	Livingston	9	(2)
2006–2007	Barnsley	8	(0)
2006	→ Bradford City (loan)	2	(0)
2007–2009	Cork City	62	(2)
2009–2011	Ipswich Town	20	(2)
2010	→ Falkirk (loan)	19	(1)
2012–2017	Cork City	110	(5)
Total		297	(15)
International career
1998–1999	Republic of Ireland U18
2002–2003	Republic of Ireland	13	(1)
Managerial career
2020–2023	Cork City
2023–2024	Republic of Ireland women (assistant)
2025–	Kerry
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Colin Healy (born 14 March 1980) is an Irish football manager and former player. He played as a Midfielder. Healy started his senior career at Celtic in Scotland. He later played for several English and Scottish clubs before returning to his hometown club, Cork City, in Ireland.

Healy also represented the Republic of Ireland at youth and senior levels. He played 13 times for his country, scoring one goal. After retiring as a player, he became a football manager. He managed Cork City FC and is currently the manager of League of Ireland First Division club Kerry FC.

Early Life and Family Background

Colin Healy was born in Ballincollig, County Cork, Ireland. He grew up in a family that loved sports. His grandfather, Paddy Healy, was a famous Gaelic footballer and hurler. Paddy won important championships with the Cork inter-county football and hurling teams in 1945 and 1946.

Colin Healy is married and has two children. His wife passed away in April 2024. His son, Arran Healy, also plays football. Arran signed with Cork City in mid-2024 and later moved to Kerry FC.

Playing Career Highlights

Colin Healy played for several football clubs during his career. He was known for his skills as a midfielder.

Starting Out in Football

Healy began playing local soccer with clubs like Ballincollig and Wilton United. He then joined a special football course in Cork. From there, he was scouted by Celtic, a big club in Scotland.

Healy scored three goals for Celtic. His first goal was in a league game in February 2000. He also helped Celtic win the Scottish League Cup in 2001. He played in the final match where Celtic beat Kilmarnock 3–0.

Time in England and Scotland

In 2003, Healy moved to England to play for Sunderland. During his time there, he unfortunately broke his leg twice. These injuries kept him off the field for a while. He left Sunderland in January 2006.

After Sunderland, Healy played for Livingston in Scotland for a short period. Then, he joined Barnsley in England. He made 10 appearances for Barnsley before his contract ended. He also had a loan spell at Bradford City.

Returning Home to Cork City

In 2007, Colin Healy signed a two-year contract with his hometown club, Cork City. There was a delay before he could play due to a rule about transferring between clubs. However, he became eligible in July 2007 and made his full debut soon after.

Healy signed another two-year contract with Cork City in 2009. He scored his first goal for the club in April 2009.

Playing for Ipswich Town

In July 2009, Healy moved back to England to play for Ipswich Town. He spent two years with the club. During this time, he also went on loan to Falkirk in Scotland, where he scored one goal.

Healy scored his first goal for Ipswich against Doncaster Rovers in February 2011. He left Ipswich in November 2011.

Second Spell at Cork City

In 2013, Healy returned to Cork City for a second time, signing a three-year deal. One of his most memorable moments was scoring a fantastic overhead kick goal against St Patrick's Athletic in 2014.

During this period, Cork City finished as runners-up in the league for three years in a row. Healy also played in the 2015 FAI Cup final, which Cork City lost. However, he finally won a trophy with the club in March 2016, lifting the Presidents Cup. He also won the 2016 FAI Cup, coming on as a substitute in the final. He retired from playing football in April 2017.

Coaching and Management Career

After ending his playing career, Colin Healy moved into coaching.

Early Coaching Roles

He first worked as the "head of academy" for Cork City, helping to develop young players. In December 2020, he was appointed "first team head coach" for the club. He held this position until May 2023.

International and Club Management

In February 2024, Healy became the assistant manager for the Republic of Ireland women's national team. He worked alongside the head coach, Eileen Gleeson. He left this role in late 2024.

On 5 May 2025, Colin Healy was appointed as the manager of League of Ireland First Division club Kerry.

International Appearances

Colin Healy played for the Republic of Ireland at different levels.

He scored a goal against Australia at the FIFA World Youth Championship in Nigeria in 1999. He also represented his country at the UEFA U-19 Championship in Sweden in 1999, where he won a bronze medal.

Healy made his senior debut for the Republic of Ireland in 2002. He played 13 times for his country, scoring one goal. His only international goal came on 21 August 2002, in a friendly match against Finland, which Ireland won 3–0.

Honours and Achievements

Colin Healy won several trophies and awards during his playing and management career.

As a Player

• Celtic
  • Scottish Premier League: 2000–01
  • Scottish League Cup: 2000–01
• Cork City
  • FAI Cup: 2007, 2016
  • Setanta Sports Cup: 2008
  • FAI President's Cup: 2016

As a Manager

• Cork City
  • League of Ireland First Division: 2022

Individual Awards

• PFAI Team of the Year: 2014 Premier Division
• League of Ireland Player of the Year: 2014