x

Healy Capture Confirmed - Ipswich Town News

As TWTD reported last night, Town have completed the capture of Cork City's influential midfielder Colin Healy. He signs a two-year deal but the fee remains undisclosed.

News of Town's interest in Healy first broke on Tuesday as the Blues moved quickly after learning that the former Celtic man was close to completing a joint switch to Hartlepool along with Cork team-mate Denis Behan.

Healy, who missed Sunday's friendly because he was already in the UK discussing his Hartlepool move, played youth football for Ballincollig and Wilton United before joining Celtic, making his senior debut in 1998/99.

After a spell on loan at Coventry, Healy moved on to Sunderland 2003 but left for Livingston on a free transfer in 2005, injury â€" including two broken legs - having restricted his appearances for the Black Cats to 16 starts and four games from the bench.

Having left Livingston after a year, 5ft 11in tall Healy spent a week with the Blues in June 2006 and played in a friendly at Boston United, Jim Magilton's first game in charge as manager, where he was photographed by TWTD Message Boarder Blu Ju, but was not offered a contract.

The sudden switch from joining Hartlepool to then Town annoyed Pools boss Graham Turner saying "We came very close to signing Colin Healy but we have come up short. It is annoying because we have worked hard for two months on Colin Healy, only for Ipswich to play Cork on Sunday and decide they want him."

A short spell at Barnsley and a loan at Bradford followed before Healy, capped 13 times by the Republic of Ireland, scoring once, returned home to Cork in 2007.

Healy came close to being a late inclusion in the Republic of Ireland squad at the 2002 World Cup as a replacement for Roy Keane, but missed the deadline after discussions regarding the Town manager's return to Saipan continued at length.

The midfielder is likely to make his second Town debut in Saturday's Fabian Wilnis testimonial against Colchester United at Portman Road.

What to read next:

U21s Friendly at Mildenhall
Town’s U21s will play Thurlow Nunn Premier League Mildenhall at their Recreation Way ground on Saturday 18th July (KO 3pm).
Striker Wilson Remains On Town's List
Striker Callum Wilson, who is set to leave West Ham United on a free transfer this summer, remains on Town’s list of potential recruits, TWTD understands.
Southend Confirm Dyer Appointment
National League Southend United have confirmed the appointment of former Blues midfielder and coach Kieron Dyer as their new head coach, as revealed by TWTD this morning.
TWTD World Cup 2026 Sweepstake
TWTD is running its usual tournament prize sweepstake during the 2026 World Cup.
Dyer Set to Be Named Southend Boss
Former Town midfielder and coach Kieron Dyer is set to be named the new manager of National League Southend United, TWTD understands.
Town Closing in On Young Irish Keeper
Town are closing in on the signing of 17-year-old Irish keeper Alex Noonan from Shamrock Rovers.
Final Call on TWTD Questionnaire 2025/26
Today is the final day to fill in the TWTD Questionnaire, your chance to look back in judgement on the glorious 2025/26 season.
Hirst On as Sub as Scotland Win Final Friendly
Striker George Hirst won his 10th cap as Scotland beat Bolivia 4-0 in their final pre-World Cup friendly at the Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.
Norwegian Blues Win Supporters Cup
The Ipswich Town Supporters Club of Norway won the annual Supporters Cup in Oslo this afternoon, beating Liverpool 2-0 in the final.
Chambers and Norris Help England to Win Seniors World Cup
Former Blues skippers Luke Chambers and David Norris were part of the England Seniors side which thrashed France 4-0 to carry off the Seniors World Cup in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand earlier today.