TOUCH, balance, speed, decision-making — the core skills footballers work hard to sharpen don’t require a full size pitch, but having a decent amount of garden space definitely helps.

Doubtless there were countless toe taps, quick turns, cone dribbling and shooting reps on the sizable side lawns at No 4 Meadowfields, Rylane, home to Colin Healy, former Republic of Ireland footballer, whose soccer career began with Ballincollig and Wilton Utd, before Scottish club Celtic snapped him up in 1998, aged just 18. 

His subsequent playing career spanned stints with Sunderland, and a couple of other UK clubs. He made his senior debut for his country in 2002 and was capped 13 times.

 In 2007, he made his full Cork City debut — the same year that he bought the family home in Rylane. It was the height of the Celtic Tiger, and Joe McCarthy of Barry Auctioneers says he paid top dollar for the then newly-built home.

In a quiet cul-de-sac of just four detached homes, in a scenic spot in Rylane, it was the ideal base to decompress from the demands of a professional football career, and subsequently, the arguably equally stressful demands of coaching, first at his former club Cork City, followed by a stint as assistant boss to Eileen Gleeson, manager of the Republic of Ireland’s women’s national team. 

FIFA Under-20 World Cup 1999, Cork's Colin Healy takes on the Saudi defence Picture: INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan FIFA Under-20 World Cup 1999, Cork’s Colin Healy takes on the Saudi defence Picture: INPHO/Lorraine O’Sullivan 

These days, he’s making regular 90-minute commutes to Mounthawk Park Tralee, as manager of Kerry FC.

Having raised his kids at No 4 Meadowfields, Colin is preparing to downsize, closer to his roots in Ballincollig, less than 25 minutes away by car.

At almost 2,500 sq ft, the family home he leaves behind is too big for an empty nester, but should certainly appeal to a family trading up. It comes with four bedrooms — two ensuite — and two generous reception rooms. Kitchen/dining is roomy too and there’s an adjoining utility room.

Mr McCarthy is guiding the property at €495,000 and he’s fielding enquiries from famillies living in Ballincollig, Blarney, Macroom and Cork city, looking to trade up.

“Blarney and Macroom are about a 15-minute drive away and Cork city is about a 35-minute drive, so it’s a good opportunity to acquire a spacious, quality family home on a decent site and in a quiet country setting, while still within an easy commute of a range of urban areas,” Mr McCarthy says.

He adds that the property has a good B2 energy rating, which means buyers can quality for green mortgage rates.