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Colin Healy
Colin Healy
Colin Healy
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Colin Healy (born 14 March 1980) is an Irish football manager and former player.[3] He was appointed manager of Cork City FC in late 2020,[4] and held the post until May 2023.[5] He has been the manager of League of Ireland First Division club Kerry FC since May 2025.

Key Information

He started his senior career at Celtic, spending five years with the Scottish club before joining English side Sunderland in 2003, where he spent three years. He returned to Scotland in 2006 to sign for Livingston. After a short spell with Livingston he returned to England to join Barnsley. After leaving Barnsley in 2007, he joined Irish side Cork City, where he spent two years before joining English side Ipswich Town. He spent two years with Ipswich before returning to the Republic of Ireland to sign for former club Cork City. Healy represented the Republic of Ireland at youth and senior level. He made his senior debut for his country in 2002, going on to win 13 caps, scoring once.

Early and personal life

[edit]

Healy was born in Ballincollig, County Cork. He came from a sporting family, with his grandfather Paddy Healy having been a Gaelic footballer and hurler who won All-Ireland Senior Football Championship and All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship medals with the Cork inter-county football and hurling teams in 1945 and 1946.[6]

Married with two children,[7] Healy's wife died in April 2024.[8][9] His son, Arran Healy, signed with Cork City in mid-2024,[10] later moving to Kerry FC.[11]

Club career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

Healy played local soccer with Ballincollig and then Wilton United. He attended the FAS/FAI course in Cork run by former Celtic and Cork City midfielder Mike Conroy and from here he was taken to Celtic Park. He would go on to score three goals for Celtic, his first coming in a league game against Dundee in February 2000.[12] His other two goals came in Scottish League Cup ties against Hearts and Stirling Albion.[13][14] With Celtic he won a Scottish League Cup medal, playing in the team that beat Kilmarnock 3–0 at Hampden on 18 March 2001.[15]

Sunderland

[edit]

Sunderland signed Healy from Celtic in 2003. In December 2003 he broke his leg in a match against a former loan club, Coventry City after a challenge by Moroccan international Youssef Safri.

In October 2004, he broke his leg again soon after resuming training with Sunderland, after a tackle from then manager Mick McCarthy. In January 2006, it was announced that Healy's contract with Sunderland had expired, and the midfielder left the club.

Livingston and Barnsley

[edit]

Healy joined SPL club Livingston on 10 March 2006 until the end of the season. On 10 August 2006 Healy signed a one-year contract with Barnsley. Having made only 10 appearances for Barnsley, he had his contract cancelled by mutual consent.

Cork City and FIFA case

[edit]

On 20 February 2007 he signed a two-year contract with hometown League of Ireland club Cork City, alongside former international colleague Gareth Farrelly. FIFA ruled both players to be unable to play for the club, citing a rule forbidding players from transferring between clubs more than twice in a 12-month period between July and June. FIFA rejected appeals made by both players. On 1 July 2007 both Healy and Gareth Farrelly became eligible to play for Cork City. On this date, they both played for the club's under-21 team against Lifford of Ennis, Co Clare, winning the game 2–0.

Healy made his full Cork City debut against Bohemians when they were beaten in extra time in the Eircom League Cup Quarter Final held at Dalymount Park on 3 July 2007.

Healy signed a two-year contract for Cork in 2009. In April 2009, Healy scored his first goal for Cork at Tallaght Stadium.[16]

Ipswich Town

[edit]

On 16 July 2009, it was confirmed that Cork City had accepted a £100,000 bid from Hartlepool United to take Healy and fellow Cork City teammate Denis Behan to Victoria Park, Hartlepool. However, five days later, Hartlepool United manager Chris Turner confirmed that the deal had not happened due to late interest from Ipswich Town. Healy subsequently signed for Ipswich for an undisclosed fee. In January 2010, he signed on-loan with Scottish Premier League club Falkirk.[17] At Falkirk he scored once against Aberdeen.[18]

Returning to Ipswich from the on-loan spell in Scotland, during the League Cup Semi-Final 2011 first leg win by Ipswich Town over Arsenal,[19] it was commented that "Colin Healy made Cesc Fabregas look like Colin Healy".[20] In February 2011 Healy scored his first goal for Ipswich against Doncaster Rovers.[21] His contract was terminated by mutual consent in November 2011.[22]

Return to Cork City

[edit]

In 2013, Healy returned to Cork City on a three-year deal. His most memorable moment came against St Patrick's Athletic in 2014 when he scored a late over head kick against a fellow title rival. He and Cork finished runners up behind Dundalk for three years in a row and Healy lost the 2015 FAI Cup to Dundalk before finally winning a trophy in March 2016 in the Presidents Cup and the 2016 FAI Cup final where he came off the bench. He retired from playing in April 2017.

Coaching career

[edit]

After retirement from playing he was Cork City's "head of academy" for a number of seasons before being appointed "first team head coach" in December 2020.[4][23] He resigned the post in May 2023.[5]

In February 2024, he was named as Eileen Gleeson's assistant manager of the Republic of Ireland women's national team alongside Emma Byrne on a permanent basis, having been in the role since 2023 while Gleeson was originally in interim charge of the team.[24] Healy left this role in late 2024, when his contract was not extended by the FAI, in circumstances described in some sources as "controversial" and "disgraceful".[25][26][27]

On 5 May 2025, he was appointed as manager of League of Ireland First Division club Kerry.[28]

International career

[edit]

Healy played and scored a goal against Australia at the FIFA World Youth Championship finals in Nigeria in 1999.[29]

He represented his country at the UEFA U-19 Championship in Sweden in 1999, and won a bronze medal.[30]

During the Saipan incident between Mick McCarthy and fellow Cork man Roy Keane at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Healy was called upon by McCarthy as the replacement should Keane be dropped from the squad. A succession of changes-of-heart by the Manchester United player led to the call-up being delayed and the deadline passing, with Healy unable to join the World Cup squad.[31][32]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Source:[33]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Celtic 1998–99 Scottish Premier League 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0
1999–00 Scottish Premier League 10 1 1 0 1 0 1[a] 0 13 1
2000–01 Scottish Premier League 12 0 0 0 3 1 6[a] 0 21 1
2001–02 Scottish Premier League 4 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 6 1
2002–03 Scottish Premier League 1 0 2 0 1 0 1[a] 0 5 0
Total 30 1 4 0 6 2 8 0 48 3
Coventry City (loan) 2001–02 First Division 17 2 0 0 0 0 — 17 2
Sunderland 2003–04 First Division 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0
2004–05 Championship 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0
Total 20 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 0
Livingston 2005–06 Scottish Premier League 9 2 0 0 0 0 — 9 2
Barnsley 2006–07 Championship 8 0 0 0 2 0 — 10 0
Bradford City (loan) 2006–07 League One 2 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 0
Cork City 2007 Premier Division 18 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 18 0
2008 Premier Division 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 24 0
2009 Premier Division 20 2 0 0 0 0 — 20 2
Total 62 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 62 2
Ipswich Town 2009–10 Championship 3 0 0 0 2 0 — 5 0
2010–11 Championship 16 2 1 0 5 0 — 22 2
2011–12 Championship 1 0 0 0 1 0 — 2 0
Total 20 2 1 0 8 0 0 0 29 2
Falkirk (loan) 2009–10 Scottish Premier League 19 1 0 0 0 0 — 19 1
Cork City 2012 Premier Division 21 0 0 0 0 0 — 21 0
2013 Premier Division 23 1 0 0 0 0 — 23 1
2014 Premier Division 27 2 0 0 0 0 — 27 2
2015 Premier Division 20 2 0 0 0 0 2[b] 0 22 2
2016 Premier Division 19 0 0 0 0 0 3[b] 0 22 0
Total 110 5 0 0 0 0 5 0 115 5
Career total 297 15 7 0 16 2 13 0 333 17
  1. ^ a b c Appearance(s) in UEFA Cup
  2. ^ a b Appearances in UEFA Europa League

International

[edit]
Source:[34]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Republic of Ireland
2002 6 1
2003 7 0
Total 13 1

International goals

[edit]
Source:[34]

Republic of Ireland score listed first, score column indicates score after each Healy goal.

International goals by date, venue, cap, opponent, score, result and competition
No. Date Venue Cap Opponent Score Result Competition
1 21 August 2002 Helsinki Olympic Stadium, Helsinki, Finland 4  Finland 2–0 3–0 Friendly

Honours

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Celtic
Cork City
Manager
Individual

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Colin Healy

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Colin Healy (born 14 March 1980) is an Irish football and former professional player who primarily operated as a . He is currently the first-team of Kerry FC in the League of Ireland First Division, a position he has held since May 2025. Born in , , Healy began his youth career with local clubs Ballincollig and Wilton United before signing with Celtic in 1998. Healy's professional playing career spanned nearly two decades, starting with Celtic where he made 27 appearances and contributed to their 2000–01 Scottish Premier League title and Scottish Cup win, though he did not feature in the cup final. After loans to Raith Rovers in 1999 and Coventry City in 2002, he transferred to Sunderland in 2003, where injuries, including two double leg fractures, limited him to 20 league appearances over three seasons. After a brief spell at Cork City starting in 2007, he joined Ipswich Town in 2009, making 29 appearances with two goals before returning to Cork City in 2012. At Cork City, he became club captain and won the FAI Cup in 2007 and the Setanta Sports Cup in 2008, with a second stint from 2012 to 2016 seeing him add another FAI Cup triumph in 2016, retiring in 2017 after 172 league appearances for the club and over 300 in total across his career. On the international stage, Healy earned 13 caps for the between 2002 and 2004, scoring one goal, and was part of the squad for the 2004 qualifiers. Transitioning to coaching, he developed Cork City's , leading it to success in youth development, and served as first-team head coach from December 2020, guiding them to the 2022 SSE Airtricity Men's First Division title. Healy later worked as assistant manager for the women's national team under before his appointment at Kerry FC.

Early life

Family background

Colin Healy was born on 14 March 1980 in , , . Healy hails from a family deeply immersed in Irish sports, particularly . His grandfather, Pat "Hitler" Healy, was a prominent figure in , renowned for his fierce competitiveness and earning the nickname due to his unyielding style on the field during the war years. Pat Healy won two medals with Cork in the 1940s and also secured an medal in 1945. Healy's father further exemplified this heritage, playing at school and club level before switching to soccer, where he joined AFC in 1974, featured in the club's inaugural match at Turner's Cross, and represented at junior international level. Raised in , a growing suburb of Cork, Healy grew up in a household where sports were central to daily life, fostering his early passion for both Gaelic games like hurling and football, and . This environment, influenced by his family's achievements, provided him with constant encouragement and access to local pitches and clubs from a young age.

Youth career beginnings

Colin Healy began his organized football journey in his hometown of Cork, playing under-age matches for local clubs and Wilton United during his early teenage years. At age 16, he advanced through the FAS/FAI soccer course in Cork, overseen by former Celtic midfielder Mike Conroy, which served as a key development program for promising young talents in the region. This pathway highlighted the supportive role of his family in fostering his passion for the sport from a young age. In 1998, Healy's potential caught the attention of Scottish club Celtic, leading to his signing of a professional contract on 1 August at the age of 18. Upon joining, he integrated into Celtic's youth and reserve teams, where he honed his midfield skills under the club's academy system, making regular appearances in competitive fixtures. A standout moment in Healy's youth progression came in the 1998–99 season when, at age 19, he earned a substitute appearance in Celtic's first-team derby against Rangers on 2 May 1999, entering the match in the 69th minute during a 0–3 league defeat at . This high-profile exposure underscored his rapid rise within the club's ranks. Internationally, Healy represented the at youth level, featuring prominently for the under-19 team en route to the 1999 in , where the squad secured a by finishing third overall.

Personal life

Marriage and children

Colin Healy married his wife in the early 2000s, and together they raised two children, Arran and Hollie, during his active playing career. The family resided in the Cork area throughout much of this period, providing a stable base amid his moves between clubs in , , and . Healy balanced the demands of professional football in the 2000s and 2010s with family responsibilities, often crediting his wife and children's support as essential to his resilience through career challenges, including injuries. This familial foundation allowed him to maintain focus on his midfield role while prioritizing home life during off-seasons and returns to Ireland. Healy's son, Arran Healy, has followed in his father's footsteps as a footballer, signing his first professional contract with Cork City in May 2024 at age 19. Arran, a central midfielder born in 2005, made 22 appearances for the club in the First Division before transferring to Kerry FC in July 2025 to secure more regular first-team opportunities under his father's management.

Later personal events

In April 2024, Colin Healy suffered a profound personal loss when his wife, Kelly Healy, passed away peacefully at their home in Rylane, , after an eight-year battle with cancer. Healy had donated one of his kidneys to her during her illness, a gesture that underscored the depth of their bond amid her prolonged health struggles. The death left Healy, a of two, grappling with immense emotional turmoil, which he later described as marking "the toughest year of [his] life." In public reflections, he shared the family's resolve to seek stability, stating, "When Kelly passed away, my children and I decided that I should go back to work quickly so we could find some form of normality." This approach became a key coping mechanism, helping him and his children navigate their through routine and mutual support. Following the loss, Healy made life adjustments centered on his role as a in Cork, prioritizing his children's well-being while maintaining their established home in the Rylane area to foster continuity amid the upheaval. He continued to reside , focusing on support as a cornerstone of his post-loss recovery.

Club career

Celtic

Colin Healy signed for Celtic as a player from Wilton United on 1 August 1998. He made his senior debut for the club on 2 May 1999, coming on as a substitute in a 0–3 home defeat to Rangers at under manager Jozef Venglos. In 1999, he was loaned to Raith Rovers in the Scottish First Division, making several appearances to gain experience. During his time at Celtic, Healy appeared in 30 matches, often as a substitute, and amassed 47 appearances across all competitions. Healy contributed to Celtic's campaigns under successive managers including , , and , notably playing 12 league games in the 2000–01 season during which the club achieved a domestic treble. His substitute role in derbies included his debut against Rangers, and he scored his first goal for Celtic in a February 2000 league match. Across all competitions, Healy netted three goals, including one in the during the 2000–01 season, helping the team secure the trophy. In January 2002, Healy was loaned to Coventry City in the English First Division until April, where he gained further experience with 17 league appearances and two goals. Upon returning to Celtic, he struggled for playing time under O'Neill and was released on 14 August 2003 following the expiry of his contract, as he sought more regular first-team opportunities.

Sunderland

Healy joined on a free transfer from Celtic in August 2003, signing a two-year contract with the club under manager , who had previously managed him at international level. The move provided Healy with his first sustained opportunity in English top-flight football, where his prior experience at Celtic as a central helped facilitate an immediate integration into the first-team squad during the 2003–04 season. Healy made 20 league appearances in that debut campaign, starting 16 matches and contributing to Sunderland's midfield as they battled relegation. However, his progress was severely disrupted in December 2003 during a 1–1 draw at Coventry City, when he suffered a broken lower leg from a tackle by , ruling him out for the remainder of the season. Sunderland ultimately finished bottom of the and were relegated to the , with Healy's injury contributing to the team's adaptation struggles in midfield depth. The following 2004–05 season saw Healy's involvement further limited by a second serious leg injury, a fracture sustained during training in September 2004, which sidelined him for much of the campaign. Despite his absence from league action—where he recorded no appearances—Healy remained part of the squad as , still managed by McCarthy, mounted a strong promotion push and clinched the title to return to the . In the 2005–06 Premier League season, Healy made no first-team appearances as ongoing recovery issues persisted, and his contract expired in January 2006. released him in January 2006, citing his limited playing time over the three-year spell, during which he totaled 20 league appearances and no goals across all competitions.

Livingston and Barnsley

Following persistent injuries at , including a severe in December 2003 that sidelined him for months and contributed to limited appearances thereafter, Healy was released as a in January 2006. Seeking to regain form, he joined club Livingston on a short-term contract in March 2006. At Livingston, Healy primarily operated as a defensive , providing stability in the during the club's relegation battle. He made 9 appearances across all competitions, scoring 2 goals, including efforts that offered brief moments of creativity amid the team's struggles, as they finished bottom of the SPL and dropped to the First Division. His loan spell ended in August 2006 without extension, as Healy continued his search for a more consistent platform to rebuild his career. In August 2006, Healy signed a one-year deal with side on a free transfer, aiming for regular minutes in English football's second tier. Deployed again as a defensive to anchor the midfield and support transitions, he featured in 10 matches for the Tykes, logging over 500 minutes without scoring but contributing to a gritty defensive setup during 's mid-table campaign. However, interrupted by a brief to League One's City in November 2006 where he added 2 appearances, his stint at Barnsley proved short-lived; the contract was mutually terminated in February 2007 as Healy prioritized a stable environment closer to home.

First stint at Cork City and FIFA dispute

Healy signed for his hometown club Cork City on a free transfer from Barnsley on 20 February 2007, marking his return to Irish football after several years in England and Scotland. However, FIFA ruled Healy ineligible to play immediately, citing regulations limiting players to no more than two transfers in a 12-month period (July to June). Having transferred to Livingston in March 2006 and Barnsley in August 2006, he could not join Cork until 1 July 2007. Cork City appealed the decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), arguing for an exception similar to cases involving other players, but the CAS upheld FIFA's ruling in June 2007. This delay stemmed from Healy's prior transfers, where frequent moves had complicated his registration status. Healy made his Cork City debut on August 3, 2007, in a 2–1 extra-time loss to Bohemians in the League Cup quarter-final. Over the next two seasons, he became a regular in midfield, accumulating more than 60 league appearances and contributing to the team's defensive solidity and leadership. His experience from English leagues helped anchor the midfield, providing composure during high-pressure games. In 2007, Healy played a role in Cork City's triumph, featuring in the final where they defeated Longford Town 1–0 at to secure the club's first major trophy in 11 years. He received a yellow card in the match but helped maintain control in midfield alongside teammates like Brian O'Callaghan and Leon McSweeney. The following year, 2008, Healy was instrumental in Cork's league challenge, as the team finished second in the Premier Division behind champions Bohemians, narrowly missing the title on after a competitive season that included key wins against rivals like Shamrock Rovers. Healy extended his contract with Cork in January 2009 for two years, scoring his first goal for the club in April during a 2–1 victory over Shamrock Rovers at —the venue's first-ever match. However, the club's escalating financial crisis, including mounting debts and delayed payments to players, led to his departure in July 2009. Healy transferred to Town for an undisclosed fee under manager , ending his first stint at Cork after 70 appearances across all competitions and one goal. The move came amid broader turmoil at Cork, which was wound up by the later that month due to unpaid taxes and wages totaling over €500,000.

Ipswich Town

Healy signed for Ipswich Town on a two-year contract on 24 July 2009, joining from Cork City for an undisclosed fee after the resolution of prior contractual issues with his former club. The move reunited him with former Republic of Ireland teammate and manager Roy Keane, who had taken charge at Portman Road earlier that year. Over the course of his spell at the club, Healy made 29 appearances across all competitions, scoring two goals. He established a steady role in central midfield, offering defensive solidity and passing range during Ipswich's campaigns, where the team maintained mid-table stability despite inconsistent results. His contributions included key starts in cup ties and league matches, helping to bolster the squad's engine room amid a transitional period under Keane's leadership. In January 2010, Healy was loaned to Scottish club until the end of the season, where he made 19 appearances before returning to . Upon his return, he featured more regularly in the 2010–11 season, scoring his first goal for the club in a 3–0 victory over Rovers in February 2011. Healy extended his contract by 12 months in May 2011, but his deal was terminated by mutual consent in November 2011 following a disagreement with manager over a substitution.

Return to Cork City and retirement

After being released by Ipswich Town in January 2012, Healy returned to his hometown club Cork City for a second spell, signing a three-year contract. This move marked an emotional homecoming, drawing on his prior experience in English football to provide leadership in the midfield. During his second stint from 2012 to 2017, Healy amassed over 100 appearances for Cork City, establishing himself as a reliable and experienced presence in the squad. He contributed significantly to the team's resurgence, helping secure the 2015–16 League of Ireland Premier Division title with 27 league appearances that season, including one goal. The following year, Healy played a part in Cork City's 2016 FAI Cup victory, entering as a substitute in the final against Dundalk, which the Rebels won 1–0 to claim their first FAI Cup since 2007. Healy announced his retirement from professional football on April 18, 2017, at the age of 37, concluding a career that included 297 club appearances and 15 goals in total. His final season had seen him balancing playing duties with preparations for a shift into , reflecting on two decades in the game.

International career

Youth internationals

Colin Healy earned his first call-up to the under-18 team in 1998, during his time in Celtic's youth setup, which helped facilitate his selection for international duty. He contributed significantly to Ireland's qualification campaign for the 1999 European Under-18 Championship, most notably scoring the decisive goal in the 90th minute of a 1-0 victory over on 9 October 1998, securing the top spot in their qualifying group and advancement to the finals. At the finals tournament held in from 19 to 25 1999, Healy featured in all four of Ireland's matches: a 1-0 group stage win against on 19 , a 3-3 draw with Georgia on 21 , a 0-2 group stage loss to on 23 , and a 1-0 third-place over on 25 . Ireland's third-place finish earned them a under coach Brian Kerr, marking a notable achievement for the team. Following the European success, Healy transitioned to the under-20 level and was included in Ireland's squad for the in , where the team competed in Group C. He made four appearances, starting in the group stage matches: a 0-1 loss to on 4 , a 2-0 win over on 7 , and a 4-0 victory against on 10 (where he scored Ireland's third goal), before featuring in the round of 16, a 1-1 draw with on 14 that Ireland lost 3-5 on penalties.

Senior career

Colin Healy represented the at senior level, earning 13 caps between 2002 and 2003. His international career began during his time at Celtic, where strong club performances earned him initial call-ups to the national team. Healy made his senior debut on 13 February 2002, substituting in the second half of a 2–0 friendly win against at in . Less than two months later, on 27 March 2002, he appeared as a substitute in another friendly, a 3–0 victory over at the same venue. Healy scored his sole international goal on 21 August 2002, netting the second goal as a substitute in a 3–0 friendly win against in . Healy featured in the Republic of Ireland's UEFA Euro 2004 qualifying campaign, making four appearances in Group 10, including starts against Switzerland (16 October 2002, 1–2 loss), Georgia (11 June 2003, 2–0 win), Russia (6 September 2003, 1–1 draw), and Switzerland again (11 October 2003, 2–0 win). These matches contributed to Ireland's qualification for the playoffs, though they ultimately fell short of the tournament. He did not feature in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. No further goals came in his remaining appearances, which included additional friendlies against the United States (17 April 2002, 2–1 win), Greece (20 November 2002, 0–0 draw), Scotland (12 February 2003, 2–0 win), Norway (30 April 2003, 1–0 win), Australia (19 August 2003, 2–1 win), and Turkey (9 September 2003, 2–2 draw). Healy's final cap came on 11 October 2003 in the Euro 2004 qualifier against Switzerland. Following his transfer to Cork City in 2007 amid a FIFA dispute over registration, he received no further senior call-ups.

Coaching career

Roles at Cork City

Following his retirement from playing in April 2017, Colin Healy immediately transitioned into a coaching role at Cork City, initially working with the club's underage setup from July 2017. In March 2018, Healy was formally appointed as Head of Academy, where he oversaw the development of the club's youth structure, emphasizing the progression of local talent through age-group teams from U15 to U19 levels. Under his guidance, the academy established a reputation for nurturing players ready for senior football, with several prospects breaking into the first team, such as goalkeeper David Harrington and midfielder Cian Murphy, who debuted during Healy's tenure and contributed to the club's promotion efforts in later seasons. A notable example was his son, Arran Healy, who joined the academy from Blarney United in January 2019 and advanced through the U15, U17, U19, and U20 squads before signing his first professional contract with Cork City in May 2024. Healy's role expanded in May 2019 when, following the departure of manager John Caulfield, he was promoted from Head of Academy to join the interim first-team backroom staff under interim manager John Cotter and assistant , helping to stabilize the squad during a challenging period that saw the club just three points above the relegation zone. He continued supporting various head coaches through the 2019–2020 seasons, including assisting Neale Fenn upon his appointment in July 2019, by bridging academy integration with senior training sessions and contributing to youth player loans and promotions amid the club's Premier Division struggles.

Republic of Ireland women's national team

In September 2023, Colin Healy was appointed as assistant coach to the Republic of Ireland women's national team under interim head coach Eileen Gleeson, joining a staff that included fellow assistant Emma Byrne and goalkeeping coach Richie Fitzgibbon. This role marked Healy's transition to the women's international setup, leveraging his prior experience in player development at Cork City, where he had guided the club's promotion to the League of Ireland Premier Division in 2022. Healy contributed to the team's tactical preparations during the 2023/24 campaign, where secured promotion from League B Group 3 to League A with an unbeaten record in their final matches, including a 4-0 victory over in September 2023 and a decisive 1-0 win against in October 2023 to clinch top spot. His involvement extended to the phase, supporting the team through challenging fixtures against top European sides like , , and in 2024, though ultimately fell short in the December 2024 play-off defeat to (3-2 aggregate). Healy's tenure ended controversially in December 2024 when his contract was not renewed following the play-off loss, a decision communicated via a brief phone call amid claims of verbal assurances from FAI chief football officer Marc Canham that he would continue unless the team suffered a heavy defeat. The abrupt exit drew widespread criticism for its lack of transparency and compassion, particularly as it occurred shortly after the death of Healy's wife, Kelly, on April 4, 2024, with players like and Caitlin Hayes publicly expressing dismay over the FAI's handling and the loss of a valued coach. Healy later escalated his grievance, accusing FAI executives of misrepresentation and filing a formal , while emphasizing the personal toll amid reported internal tensions within the organization.

Kerry FC management

On 5 May 2025, Colin Healy was appointed as the first-team manager of Kerry FC in the League of Ireland First Division, succeeding the previous coaching staff and marking a significant step in the club's development. The move came shortly after his contentious departure from the Republic of Ireland women's national team earlier in the year, with Healy citing the opportunity's timing and Kerry's ambitious strategic project as key factors in his decision to return to club management. He expressed relief at resuming work, describing the preceding months as the toughest of his career due to the national team exit, and emphasized alignment with Kerry's vision for sustainable growth in the Kingdom. Healy implemented a preferred 4-2-3-1 formation, focusing on defensive solidity and fluid attacking transitions to build a competitive squad capable of challenging for promotion. His strategic vision centered on long-term club development, including youth integration and community engagement, to elevate Kerry FC from its nascent status in the league. This approach drew on his prior coaching experience at Cork City and with the Ireland women's setup, where he honed skills in player development and tactical organization. Healy's early tenure began promisingly with a 1-0 victory over Treaty United on 9 May 2025 at Mounthawk Park, setting a positive tone despite the match's frantic nature. Subsequent fixtures included a challenging draw marked by missed opportunities, such as a penalty save against Sean McGrath, but Healy's side rebounded with a 2-0 home win over Longford Town on 30 May. Squad building efforts intensified during the summer transfer window, highlighted by the signing of his son, Arran Healy, a 20-year-old midfielder from Cork City, as the club's first addition on 1 July 2025 to bolster the midfield ahead of a crucial run of games. Throughout the season, Healy's management yielded notable results, showcasing the team's resilience and fitness. The side advanced to the semi-finals after a stunning 4-3 comeback victory (after extra time) against Sligo Rovers in the quarter-finals in September 2025, but were defeated 1-6 by Rovers in the semi-finals on 5 October 2025. The league campaign concluded with a 5-1 defeat to Bray Wanderers on 17 October 2025, finishing 9th in the league standings. As of November 2025, Healy remains in charge, with ongoing efforts focused on squad refinement and preparation for the 2026 season to further the club's growth trajectory.

Career statistics

Club statistics

Healy's club career spanned from 1998 to 2017, during which he made 370 appearances and scored 18 goals across all competitions. The following table provides a breakdown of his appearances and goals by club, encompassing league matches, domestic cups, playoffs, and European competitions.
ClubAppearancesGoals
463
Coventry City172
200
92
100
Bradford City40
191
Ipswich Town292
2168
Total37018

International statistics

Healy represented the at senior and youth international levels, accumulating 13 senior caps with 1 goal between 2002 and 2003. He also featured for the U-20 team at the , making 4 appearances and scoring 1 goal, and participated in the 1999 , where secured a .

Youth international statistics

LevelAppearancesGoals
U-1950
U-2041

Senior international statistics

DateOpponentCompetitionResult (Ireland – Opponent)Goals
13 February 2002Friendly2–00
27 March 2002Friendly3–00
17 April 2002Friendly2–10
21 August 2002Friendly3–01
16 October 20021–20
20 November 2002Friendly0–00
12 February 2003Friendly2–00
30 April 2003Friendly1–00
11 June 2003Georgia2–00
19 August 2003Friendly2–10
6 September 20031–10
9 September 2003Friendly2–20
11 October 20030–20

Honours

Club honours

During his playing career, Colin Healy contributed to several team successes at club level, primarily with Celtic, Cork City in the League of Ireland, and as part of Sunderland's squad in English football. Celtic
  • Scottish Premier League (2000–01)
  • Scottish Cup (2000–01)
  • Scottish League Cup (2000–01)
Sunderland
  • EFL Championship promotion via play-offs (2004–05): Healy was registered as part of the squad that secured promotion to the Premier League after defeating Millwall in the play-off final, though he missed the season due to injury.
Cork City
  • League of Ireland Premier Division (2007): Healy made 18 league appearances after joining in July, helping the team clinch the title on goal difference in a tightly contested race.
  • FAI Cup (2007): Healy started in the final as Cork City defeated Longford Town 1–0 at the RDS Arena, securing the club's first FAI Cup win in eight years.
  • Setanta Sports Cup (2008): Part of the squad that defeated Glentoran 2–1 in the final.
  • President's Cup (2016): Part of the squad for the 2–0 victory over Dundalk.
  • FAI Cup (2016): Came off the bench in the 1–0 final win over Dundalk.

International honours

Healy's international honours stem from his youth career with the . He was part of the under-18 team that secured a at the 1999 European Under-18 Championship in . The team advanced to the third-place match, defeating 1–0 with a goal from Clive Delaney in the 47th minute. Earlier that year, Healy represented at the in , where the team finished second in their group before exiting in the round of 16 after a 1–1 draw (4–6 on penalties) with the hosts . At senior level, Healy earned 13 caps for the between 2002 and 2004, scoring one goal against , but the team did not qualify for any major tournaments during his involvement, resulting in no senior international honours.

References

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