Luke Heeney
Luke Heeney is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or right back for League of Ireland Premier Division club Waterford. He previously played for St Patrick's Athletic and Drogheda United.Career
Youth career
, County Meath native Heeney began playing with St Kevin's Boys, before joining the academy of League of Ireland club St Patrick's Athletic in 2015, playing for their under-17 side for two seasons before going on to play for their under-19 side for a further two seasons.Heeney made his first team debut on 5 October 2018, replacing Jake Keegan from the bench in the 91st minute of a 1–1 draw away to Dundalk at Oriel Park in what proved to be his only senior appearance for the club.Ahead of the 2019 [League of Ireland First Division|2019 season], Heeney signed for his local League of Ireland First Division club Drogheda United. He made his debut in the opening game of the season on 22 February 2019, in a 4–0 win over Cobh Ramblers at United Park. On 8 June 2019, he scored the first goal of his senior career, adding his side's third goal in a 4–2 win at home to Athlone Town. Heeney made just 9 appearances in 2020 due to injury, but in the final of those 9 on 27 October 2020, he scored in a 2–0 win away to Cabinteely at Stradbrook Road to secure the 2020 League of Ireland First Division title and promotion for his side. He made 31 appearances in all competitions in his side's first season back in the top flight as they avoided the Promotion/Relegation Playoff by 2 points. On 10 December 2021, he signed a new contract with the club. In early 2022, he was involved in a car crash that saw him miss several games while he recovered from his injuries. He made 32 appearances in all competitions during the 2023 season and on 19 December 2023, he signed a new contract with the club. On 23 September 2024, he made his 150th appearance for the club in a 0–0 draw with Galway United. Heeney came off the bench in the 2024 FAI Cup final on 11 November 2024, as his side defeated Derry City 2–0 at the Aviva Stadium to win the Cup. On 16 November 2024, he helped his side to a 3–1 win over Bray Wanderers at Tallaght Stadium in the 2024 League of Ireland Premier Division Promotion/Relegation Playoff. On 20 December 2024, he renewed his contract with Drogheda amidst reported interest from rivals Dundalk, having been praised as the club's standout player in 2024 by manager Kevin Doherty. He scored 2 goals in 41 appearances in the 2025 season. On 19 November 2025, it was announced that Heeney would be departing the club after scoring 4 goals in 197 appearances in 7 seasons with the club.On 2 December 2025, Heeney signed for League of Ireland Premier Division club Waterford ahead of the 2026 season, becoming new manager Jon Daly's first new signing with the club.International career
Heeney made 2 appearances for the Republic of Ireland U19 side in February 2018 in 2 friendlies against Romania U19, winning 1–0 and 2–1.Career statistics