Healy hoping goal will kick-start campaign

David Healy is determined to build on his debut goal in the 2010 World Cup qualifiers when Northern Ireland’s campaign resumes in February.

The North have a second successive match against San Marino and will be confident of back-to-back wins after a 4-0 victory at Windsor Park last night.

Sunderland striker Healy made the breakthrough in the 30th minute with his 35th goal in 69 appearances and that proved to be the spark Northern Ireland needed.

Grant McCann, Kyle Lafferty and Steven Davis also found the target against San Marino, who finished with 10 men after the dismissal of Mauro Marani.

“I am pleased for myself, for the team and for Kyle to get on the scoresheet too,” Healy told Sky Sports News.

“There is competition for places so you’ve got to keep your head down and score goals when you can – and win games where possible.

“We knew we had to win – we’ve got four points now and San Marino in February. Hopefully that will give us seven.

“Teams are taking points off each other and we’ve got to stick in there and make sure when we play at home next year, we beat them.”

Northern Ireland had to play a waiting game against a team who have not won a competitive match in 18 years and put 10 men behind the ball.

Manager Nigel Worthington said: “We did not start as quickly as I would have liked. Perhaps there were some nerves. But after the first 15 minutes we started to flow a bit.

“I have to give the players great credit. The mental approach had to be spot on and it was.

“The players worked hard and were patient in their approach. They kept their shape very well and that was pleasing.”

Crewe midfielder Michael O’Connor was handed his first start and responded with an industrious performance.

He should have marked the occasion by opening the scoring in the third minute only to head over the crossbar.

But Worthington was pleased with the way he went about his business.

“Michael loves getting on the ball,” he said. “I thought he played very well. He has a lot of promise.”

Northern Ireland will be back in action on November 19 when they host Hungary in a friendly.