2007 has been a successful year for Ballydesmond’s Tony Healy thus far. The Corkman collected the prestigious Ulster Open title in February and just three weeks ago made handball history in Minneapolis when he collected his second USHA National Four-Wall Doubles title. Healy paired up with Antrim’s Ricky McCann to create an awesome force which earned the duo their second US doubles title. In the final, the Irishmen defeated American’s Sean Lenning and Luis Moreno in two games, 21-18, 21-18 and despite the fact the teams played even in two close games, the experience and teamwork of Healy and McCann proved to be unstoppable.

In February, Healy started his 2007 winning ways with an impressive win over Dublin’s Eoin Kennedy in the final of the Ulster Open at Kingscourt, Cavan. In the semi-final match-up, Healy overcame his doubles opponent in Minneapolis, Lenning. Healy was defeated by the American in New York in their previous match but the Rebel made no mistake in this meeting, winning on a 21-11, 21-9 scoreline.

Healy was in top form against Kennedy in the opening game of the Ulster Open final but Kennedy stayed in touch and against the odds drew level at 14-14. In the next passage of play Healy was awesome. Three times he got a return back when it looked hopeless and at one point he even jumped up on the glass back wall and somehow sprinted to win the point with a diving score. It was an amazing move and the turning point in the match.

Healy’s play in game two was simply exhilarating. Showing high octane levels of fitness he smothered the life out of Kennedy with remarkable first touches and volleys. Kennedy couldn’t get into the game to any great extent as Healy’s exquisite kills in both corners and aces to the Dublin man’s left corner especially worked a treat. It was exhibition stuff from Healy and he was a winner long before the final point was won. This was yet another brilliant victory for Healy as he bids to move up in the Irish rankings.
On the double ... McCann and Healy