N Ireland 4 Georgia ... 1:DAVID HEALY scored for both sides as Northern Ireland's first-half blitz proved enough to see off the Republic of Ireland's World Cup qualifying group eight opponents Georgia at Windsor Park last night.
Healy was given a special award by Uefa president Michel Platini before the match in honour of his scoring exploits in Euro 2008 qualifying, but he missed a string of chances before Burnley striker Kyle Lafferty hit the opener.
Healy did register with a deflected long-range shot before Lafferty headed a third, his second, as the hapless Georgians capitulated before the break.
Nigel Worthington's team lost momentum badly after the break following a string of substitutions, and Healy slid the ball into his own net after Maik Taylor had saved Levan Tskitishvili's spot-kick following a handball by debutant Michael O'Connor. Peter Thompson bundled in a late fourth for the hosts.
Healy almost made it 34 international goals in the 15th minute when goalkeeper George Makaridze spilled a cross from Stuart Elliott, but he atoned for his error to save the striker's mishit follow-up effort.
The home side fashioned a classy opening goal in the 25th minute after the Georgians gave the ball away in defence. Healy fed Steven Davis, who squared for Kyle Lafferty to score.
Aa minute later Healy latched on to Damien Johnson's header and shot from 25 yards. A wicked deflection off AC Milan defender Kakha Kaladze was enough to send it past Makaridze. Lafferty made it three in the 36th minute with a header from Healy's cross.
The visitors won a penalty in the 54th minute when O'Connor handled. Taylor tipped Tskitishvili's spot-kick on to the post, and as the midfielder tried to collect the follow-up, Healy sent the ball into his own net.
In the 87th minute, Thompson bundled home a fourth goal for Northern Ireland - arguably with the use of his arm.
NORTHERN IRELAND:Taylor (Mannus 80), Baird, Hughes, Craigan (McAuley 59), Evans, Gillespie, Johnson (O'Connor 46), Davis (Gault 70), Elliott, Healy (Thompson 70), Lafferty (Feeney 46).
GEORGIA:Makaridze, Salukvadze, Kaladze, Kenia (Khidasheli 81), Shashiashvili (Jakobia 81), Kobiashvili, Tskitishvili (Eliava 90), Kankava, Kvakhadze, Kvirkvelia, Iashvili.
