David Healy highlights Irish League’s ‘privileged’ position

A behind-closed-doors return to play at elite level within the current NI Executive restrictions signalled Premiership football back on the calendar last weekend within the coronavirus pandemic.

Personal delight for Healy at the comeback win - provided by Niall Quinn and Jordan Stewart goals following Danny Purkis handing Glenavon early control - was delivered alongside an overall message celebrating Irish League football’s collective effort.

“We are in a privileged position,” he said. “I’m fully aware of the circumstances which go with being in football so whenever we do get the opportunity it’s important we go and embrace it.

“We are fortunate in what we do...we need to make sure as a group of footballers and staff we are doing whatever we can.

“There are worries but we leave it to the sensible powers that be that we get the right calls.

“As a club, we’ve done more to maximise our training following the protocols and, as a whole as a league, there’s not been too many games called off so it’s credit to the individuals and those who put the guidelines in place.

“Credit to both sides today, the players were able to put on some sort of a spectacle.”

Stewart’s fine finish signalled the final reward for a strong second-half response by Linfield to trailing 1-0.

“Glenavon are a good side who should have more points than they have at the minute and I don’t think that’s down to the performances,” said Healy. “I thought Glenavon were miles better than us in the first half, we looked slow and sluggish and they looked as if they wanted it a little bit more.

“We asked for more character and tenacity and created other opportunities when we didn’t pick the right pass or squandered.

“It’s up to the players, managers in general take the blame for when it goes wrong but the players showed they are more than capable of understanding their own circumstances, how they are playing individually and collectively in the first half.

“They took control and were better in the second half.

“With or without a crowd, actions speak louder than words and the actions today in the second half showed we are in or around where we want to be but also willing to fight hard.

“Top of the table on January 2 is not going to get me too many plaudits at Windsor Park...it was just crucial we won the game.”

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