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Luke Heeney
Luke Heeney (born 6 February 1999) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder or right back for League of Ireland Premier Division club Drogheda United. He previously played for St Patrick's Athletic. CareerYouth careerBellewstown, County Meath native[1] Heeney began playing with St Kevin's Boys,[2] 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.[3] St Patrick's AthleticHeeney 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.[4] Drogheda UnitedAhead of the 2019 season, Heeney signed for his local League of Ireland First Division club Drogheda United.[3] 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.[5] 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.[6] 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.[7] 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.[8] On 10 December 2021, he signed a new contract with the club.[9] In early 2022, he was involved in a car crash that saw him miss several games while he recovered from his injuries.[10] He made 32 appearances in all competitions during the 2023 season and on 19 December 2023, he signed a new contract with the club.[11][12] On 23 September 2024, he made his 150th appearance for the club in a 0–0 draw with Galway United.[13] 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.[14] 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.[15] On 20 December 2024, he renewed his contract with Drogheda[16][17][18] amidst reported interest from rivals Dundalk,[19] having been praised as the club's standout player in 2024 by manager Kevin Doherty.[20] International careerHeeney made 2 appearances for the Republic of Ireland U19 side in February 2018 in 2 friendlies against Romania U19, winning 1–0[21] and 2–1.[22] Career statistics
Honours
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