David Healy’s Linfield derby delight but ‘won’t accept’ abuse

Last week David Healy’s Linfield were booed off the pitch after being demoralised by Ballymena United – this week they were given a rousing ovation from those same fans after a ‘Big Two’ 2-1 win over cross-city rivals Glentoran at Windsor Park.

They looked a totally different team as goals from defender Darragh Leahy and long-serving Kirk Millar earned them their first points in the new Boyle Sports Premiership campaign.

Although Jordan Stewart pulled one back for the Glens in added time, it was a day to forget for the visitors.

Seconds later Stewart was dismissed following an incident with Leahy.

Although delighted with the result, Healy still took issues with the abuse hurled at his team only seven days earlier.

“I was pleased with the result and pleased for the players and the staff,” he said. “It’s been a tough week; it’s been a long week.

“There was a lot said after last week’s result. There was a lot of noise in and around the stadium last week.

“What I had to endure personally; what the players had to endure and what my staff had to endure was nothing short of disgraceful,

“The abuse was from the terraces and from social media platforms.

“There was absolutely no need, for the level, the tone and the hatred that was vented in the last week. I won’t accept it.

“The (Irish League) landscape has changed. Supporters need to realise that.

“Fans are expected to back the club through thick and thin. Well, tough times have arrived at Linfield.”

The Blues forged ahead on 18 minutes.

Adam Frizzell’s in-swinging corner-kick was met by former Dundalk man Leahy and his towering header hit the net before goalkeeper Billy Crellin could move.

Linfield sealed the deal 13 minutes from time.

This time Frizzell’s precision pass found striker Kieran Offord, whose first-time drive was repelled by Crellin. But when the ball broke to Millar, he rammed the ball into the net, off the underside of the crossbar.

But in added time Stewart prodded home from close, but it was too little too late for the Glens!

“It was really poor for us, we didn’t play with the intensity that a ‘Big Two’ game requires,” said Glentoran manager Declan Devine. “We were careless with the ball and careless without the ball. We were too open in many aspects of our game. It was a poor day at the office.”

LINFIELD: Johns, Shields, Millar, McClean, Offord, Frizzell, Hall, McGee, Fitzpatrick, Leahy, McCullough.

Subs: Glavin, Wells, Brown, Baird, Moore, Annett, Chapman.

GLENTORAN: Crellin, Cooney, Kane, Rossi, Thomson, Clarke, McEneff, Stewart, Singleton, Malone, Jenkins.

Subs: Morris, Kelly, Larmour Weatherup, Faloona, Douglas, Gallagher.

Referee: Shane Andrews.