Int Football - Healy steals own show

Eurosport - Wed, 26 Mar 22:35:00 2008

Fulham outcast David Healy scored at both ends as Northern Ireland thrashed Georgia 4-1 in a home friendly.

FOOTBALL Northern Ireland - 0

Before the match, Healy - who cannot get a game under Roy Hodgson at Fulham - had received an award from UEFA president Michel Platini for top-scoring in Euro 2008 qualifying.

The former Manchester United, Leeds and Preston striker then missed several opportunities before Burnley striker Kyle Lafferty grabbed the opener.

Healy got his goal though, a long-range shot taking a deflection on 33 minutes, before Lafferty headed a third soon afterwards to give Nigel Worthington's men a commanding half-time lead.

Healy then put past his own keeper Maik Taylor after he had saved Levan Tskitishvili's spot-kick following a handball by debutant Michael O'Connor.

Peter Thompson bundled in a late fourth for the hosts - his first for Northern ireland.

Reda Maher / Eurosport