By Jonathan Brown
The Healy name is synonymous with football in Killyleagh thanks to the exploits of Northern Ireland’s record goalscorer David, and now his nephew Cameron Maciejewski Healy is forging his own career in the local game.
Cameron, who recently turned 17, made his debut for the Crusaders first team in a 3-2 win over Ballymena on 25 April, having only joined the club in January. The former Down High student has been banging in the goals for Crusaders Reserves and the club’s U-18 team, netting five goals in last week’s NIFL Academy League game against Larne.
The 6’4” striker started his football journey at the age of five with Braniel FC in Belfast, before moving on to another Belfast team, Ridgeway Rovers. It wasn’t long before the Killyleagh native’s talents attracted attention from Irish League giants Linfield, where uncle David is first team manager.
After joining Linfield at the age of 11 and spending three seasons at Windsor Park, Cameron moved on to Glenavon’s youth academy to get more game time. After two impressive seasons with the Lurgan Blues, the teenager joined Crusaders at the start of the year, turning down offers from a host of other Irish League clubs.
Cameron is also about to finish his first year of a two-year scholarship with the NIFL’s NI Football Scholarship Programme, which offers promising local players the opportunity to combine training and education in an environment similar to that of a full-time club academy.
There’s no doubt that the Healy footballing dynasty appears to be in good hands, with David’s son Jude recently winning the NIFL Championship/PIL Development League with Ards and his other nephew Jake starring for Killyleagh’s first team this season.
