The former Antrim captain helped Ballyboden clinch the Dublin SFC title last month, but he didn’t play one minute of football for his county in 2025 as he went from one injury to the next
He joked with his teammates afterwards that it has always been his dream to win a Dublin SFC title. In truth, Peter Healy was more relieved that he could get back to doing what he loves after two years of cruel luck with injuries.
The former Antrim captain transferred from St Enda’s Glengormley on the outskirts of north Belfast to St Enda’s of Ballyboden in the south Dublin suburbs at the end of last year.
A Sigerson Cup winner with UCD back in 2018, Healy works as an actuary in Dublin and has been living there for the last decade.
When he was fully fit, he didn’t mind the commute home for training, but it gradually took its toll.
His injury nightmare began with Antrim’s 2023 Tailteann Cup semi-final loss to Meath in Croke Park. He suffered a broken bone in his foot that kept him sidelined for a large part of the 2024 campaign. He returned in time for Antrim’s last four bout with Laois in the Tailteann Cup and ended up breaking the same bone in the same foot.
He was on the cusp of a comeback earlier this year only to pull his hamstring before suffering a quad injury so he stopped setting himself deadlines for his return. He only made his debut for his new club in July of this year.
“I was planning to get back before the end of the League, but I didn’t. I was planning on being back for the Championship, but then I pulled my hamstring,” said Healy.
“I didn’t get playing for Antrim at all this season. I was always there in the background doing my rehab.
“My first game in 2025 was my debut for Ballyboden in the second last League game at the start of July.
“The first time I’d played a ‘solo and go’ was in the build-up to Cein D’Arcy’s goal in the Dublin final – I’m still trying to get used to the new rules as I’ve only really played five or six games with them.
“The body is feeling good after coming through those run of games, so hopefully that continues.”
A fully fit Peter Healy proved to be an invaluable asset to Ballyboden as they dethroned reigning All-Ireland champions Cuala in the semi-final before beating Na Fianna by four points in the decider.
Healy was at the forefront of their win over Na Fianna, played in horrendous conditions in Parnell Park last month. The victory justified the months of rebab, gym work and physio appointments for the Antrim defender.
He won an Antrim and Ulster Intermediate title with his native club in 2018 before St Enda’s lost the All-Ireland final to Kilcummin of Kerry the following February.
So how did it feel to win a county title with another club?
“It was a bit of a weird feeling,” said Healy.
“I was joking around with Cein (D’Arcy) saying ‘it has been my dream since I was a child to win the Dublin SFC title!
“It is very special to me though. It has been a really tough couple of years for me.
“As a team, we really focused and targeted this. The lads lost the first League game to St Pat’s Donabate and we’ve won every game since.
“It was great to get over the line and winning the Dublin Championship is very difficult as it is one of the most competitive in the country.
“The conditions for the Dublin final were absolutely terrible. Maybe the conditions suited us a bit better? We are a big, physical side and, when the weather is like that, we can bully teams a bit around the middle.”
Ballyboden will now set their sights on bigger and better things. With the four provincial champions from 2024 gone, the race for the All-Ireland Club title appears to be wide open and the 2016 winners have been installed as the new favourites following their win over Na Fianna.
They take on back-to-back Wexford champions Castletown Liam Mellows in the Leinster Club SFC quarter-final at Chadwicks Wexford Park on Sunday and Healy says they cannot afford to think too far down the road.
“The provincial series is incredibly tough and you see big teams getting knocked out every year. There are always potential banana skins,” added the 28-year-old Belfast native.
“It isn’t often the case when you are playing for St Enda’s (Glengormley) or for Antrim that you are heavy favourites. I know when we won the Antrim Intermediate title, a few lads from the club made a fortune on us that season in Ulster as we were the rank outsiders.
“It is different with Ballyboden. The Dublin champions are always expected to do well.
“It won’t be easy going down to Wexford Park either so we won’t be taking Castletown for granted.”
Healy, meanwhile might have switched his club allegiances from St Enda’s of Belfast to St Enda’s Ballyboden, but he doesn’t plan on making a transfer at county level.
The former Antrim skipper hasn’t played for the Saffrons since their Tailteann Cup semi-final loss to Laois in 2024 in Croke Park.
However, he fully intends to be part of Mark Doran’s squad in 2026 after the former Slaughtneil boss and Roscommon coach succeeded Andy McEntee as Antrim boss.
“I will only be playing my club football in Dublin – I’m looking forward to getting back playing for Antrim in 2026,” said Healy.
“I was sure whether that would be the case after last year. With the injuries I’ve had, being out for two years then getting back and doing the hamstring and the quad, I didn’t know if I’d be back playing for Antrim.
“It was frustrating being relegated to Division Four last year – I felt we’d so much more to give. It is a pain to be starting again in Division Four, but I can’t wait to get back up the road and get Antrim back to where we need to be. Hopefully, we can push on this season.”
Healy hopes he won’t be involved with Antrim for a good few weeks yet as Ballyboden begin their Leinster Club campaign this weekend against Castletown Liam Mellows, but he feels the addition of Cargin stalwart Mick McCann to Doran’s management team is a big plus for the Saffrons.
“I’ve already spoken to Mark (Dorran) a couple of times and I know Mick (McCann) well from playing with Antrim and coming up against him at club level,” added Healy.
“They are letting me enjoy my club football at the moment. Hopefully, I can slot back in after Ballyboden’s season is at an end, but it would be great if that wasn’t until after January time!
“You usually get a bit of a bounce when a new manager comes in and Mick McCann knows Antrim football inside out so I’m looking forward to it.”
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