Ratoath-based Drogs prepare for season with a difference

SOCCER Luke Heeney looking forward to first year as a professional

New season, new adventure. Bellewstown's Luke Heeney is preparing for a forthcoming League of Ireland season with a difference both for him and his club Drogheda Utd.

The 25-year-old only recently started life as full-time professional footballer. It's all part of a new chapter the club has opened whereby they have signed a group of players on full-time contracts as they seek to consolidate their place in the top flight of League of Ireland football.

Heeney is one of three players from Meath who have agreed to one-year, full-time deals. The other two are defender Andrew Quinn from Dunshaughlin and Conor Keeley from Dunboyne, a centre-half and the brother of goalkeeper Josh Keeley who is on the books at Spurs but currently on loan at Leyton Orient.

Drogheda Utd have also moved their training HQ, for the moment at least, to the home of Ratoath Harps FC. It's from there they have started their preparations for a season that promises much including the chance to take part in European competition.

European competition is one of the rewards for Kevin Doherty's side that won the FAI Cup towards the end of last season when they they defeated Derry City 2-0, the first goal scored by Andrew Quinn. Before a big raucous, crowd at the Aviva Drogheda played with far more conviction than their big-money, highly-fancied opponents and deservedly claimed the famous trophy.

Becoming a full-time footballer is the fulfilment of a once cherished ambition Heeney harboured as a youngster. An ambition he didn't think was going to happen as his career progressed.

He understandably feels performing as a part-timer, as he and his colleagues were doing up to now, left his team at a distinct disadvantage when it came to playing slick professional outfits like Shamrock Rovers, Derry City and Shelbourne.

"I always wanted something to do with football growing up and as a young lad you dream of life as a professional. It's great to be full time, it gives us all a good chance to have a proper go at it. Before this we were playing against professionals who were resting all day, eating all the proper food and, despite all that, we did well. Now we're hoping to kick on, we train in the morning and get our proper rest."

Heeney is currently in his seventh year with Drogheda Utd. He attended primary school in Bellewstown before moving into St Mary's Secondary School in Drogheda. He played with St Kevin's, the famous nursery club in Dublin.

He later went to St Patrick's Athletic before he was signed by Drogheda Utd's then manager Tim Clancy, the Trim man who guided the Co Louth club from the First Division into the Premier in 2021.

A midfielder or right-back Heeney won two u-19 caps for the Republic of Ireland, but never got the chance to move across the Irish Sea to a club in England or Scotland - although maybe he shouldn't give up on that ambition either considering how everything has turned out for him in recent times.

Heeney, is a qualified gym instructor, but after Covid he landed a job working the night shift at Cadbury's Chocolate factory in Coolock driving a fork lift truck. He combined that job with playing part-time for the Drogs as they sought to build on their promotion to the top flight and get a firmer foothold in the Premier.

"Working the nights was tough going but something that had to be done. My nutrition was all over the place because obviously when I should be eating the proper meals and drinking water I was sleeping during the day. I was lucky in that I'm naturally fit. That helped me cope."

Drogheda Utd struggled for most of last season, only securing their Premier Div status when they defeated Bray Wanderers in a play-off. "There were many days, especially at the start of the year, when we struggled but we kept at it, that's the important thing but there were some forgettable days all right."

Heeney says that he is "very grateful" to Cadbury's who have given him a year-long sabbatical, ensuring his job is there should he decide to return. "A lot of employers wouldn't to that. It's great to have that security."

As part of their preparations Drogheda have made available what the Bellewstown man refers to "as a chaplain," who the players can speak to on any issues that are on their minds.

In embarking on their new professional phase Drogheda Utd can take inspiration from clubs such as Sligo Rovers who have fielded a professional team for years on a tight budget.

It is understood at so far 1,100 season tickets for Drogheda Utd games have been purchased. At around €300 a ticket that's already a sizeable income for the club who are about to embark on a season with a big difference, certainly as far as they are concerned. History beckons.