Galway United’s Patrick Hickey – A long way from home

BY JAMIE CONLON

From a salesman job in the US, to sleeping on a couch in the Canary Islands, and then to August Player of the Month at Galway United. Chicago-born Patrick Hickey has had quite the journey. Fresh from signing a new deal at Galway United, he sat down with Galway Pulse to discuss United’s return to the top-flight, his positional transformation, and his journey to where he now calls home.

A draw away at Bohemians in the final game of the season cemented a top-half finish for Galway United in their first season back in the Premier Division.

For a spell, however, it looked as if United were on course for a European finish. Hickey reflects on how expectations altered as the season developed.

“At the beginning of the season we would have taken where we finished, but the season progressed and we got ourselves into the mix for Europe. When it didn’t happen we were frustrated, but it shows how expectations were raised.

“The team has come a long way and we gave the fans something to cheer about. Playing in front of 4,000 people that all love you and are cheering from start to finish is an incredible feeling. It gives you shivers!”

The 26-year-old midfielder has been a revelation for the Tribesmen this season. His positional shift to a number ten/second striker hybrid has been a masterstroke from John Caulfield. Finishing the season with four goals and four assists, Hickey has thrived in his new role.

But it’s not always been European hunts, Player of the Month awards, winning goals, and sold-out crowds for Hickey.

The Journey

“I played division 3 over in America with Illinois Wesleyan University, so those big schools that you see on TV, I didn’t go to that. It was a much smaller school of about 2,000 kids and we would get between 75 to 100 people at a match,” he reflects.

When the Covid-19 pandemic struck, school was cancelled and Hickey explored other avenues. He began his first full-time job as a salesman for a dietary supplements company.

But something felt off for Patrick, he felt he had more to give.

“I felt like I had something more in me, so I quit. There was a trip over to Spain to bring players on trial and we played six matches in 12 days. I was the only one to get a trial down with a team in Madrid who cut me the day before we were supposed to play Real Madrid C. I was devastated.”

UD Fuerteventura in the bliss of the Canary Islands was Patrick’s next stop. Only, it wasn’t exactly bliss.

“I had visa issues. I kept lying to the club saying, ‘it’s coming any day now I promise’. They kicked me out of the housing, but I convinced some of my teammates to let me sleep on the couch. The roommates would be up until 4am, so I was up until 4am. But I kept thinking if I go home, I can’t go back.”

When the deadline of January 31 arrived, Hickey still had no visa. The club let him go, and he returned to Madrid.

“I dropped down a division to a regional league where I didn’t need a visa to play. I found the cheapest room in Madrid, in a Colombian woman’s apartment for €300 a month. I was just renting the room so you couldn’t have friends over or make a lot of noise. You didn’t have the same freedoms.”

In the gruelling heat of Spain, Patrick admits that he learned a lot about the technical side of football. He describes the Spanish style as a “play with your head kind of game”.

“I was playing centre-back at the time and they were asking me to do things on the ball I had never been asked to do before. Receive the ball, play out from the back, clip it out to the far side midfielder – it was proper Spanish football.”

When Hickey’s agent called him at the end of the season, a saving grace appeared. That saving grace came in the form of Athlone, Ireland.

Hickey established himself at Athlone Town for the remainder of the 2022 season and for the entire 2023 season. Then, he received a phone call from a certain John Caulfield.

Galway United

Patrick Hickey joined Galway United in December 2023. But he didn’t have things all his way. It wouldn’t be until July that he would cement his place as an integral cog in Caulfield’s system.

Hickey admitted that not being in the starting XI at the beginning was “difficult” but insisted that he never placed the blame on anybody but himself. The American is a “determined and driven” individual, qualities he attributes to his journey in football.

“I always use the word undeniable. You have to make him pick you. ‘You can’t leave Patrick out’ is the kind of mindset I’ve fostered. I had to earn John’s trust to get into the team.”

Hickey did indeed earn his manager’s trust. 15 consecutive starts illuminate his importance to his side. His intense pressing, composed link-up play, and keen eye for goal has earned him a reputation as a jack of all trades.

But how has he found the transition from defensive-minded midfielder to creative spark in attack?

“I think part of the reason John recruited me is because I’m versatile. I think for someone my size, it suits the way he wants to play. It took a bit of getting used to, trying to find the right positions to pick up was difficult but I think I got it down in the end.

A smile flashed across his face: “It’s fun scoring goals but I enjoy the pressure of scoring goals. The fans are looking to you to change a game.”

Hickey revealed that the winner in United’s 1-0 victory over Derry City at Eamonn Deacy Park in August was his personal season highlight.

Caulfield’s side proved to be the giant-slayers of the division this campaign. Hickey feels that as the season progressed, his team grew in belief that they could “beat anybody”.

“We grew in confidence and belief in what John and Ollie were saying. In our system, we believe that we can beat anyone.”

Fifth place, and potentially three points off a European place depending on the result of the FAI Cup final, Galway United defied the odds and some this season. There is a real feel-good factor around the club. There is huge optimism that the club can kick-on even more in 2025.

The club confirmed on Sunday, November 3 that Hickey had committed to United for the 2025 season. Tying the likes of Brendan Clarke and Hickey down to contract extensions is a massive boost for the Tribesmen.

After years of struggle, grit, and determination, Hickey finally has a place he can call home in Galway.

“I love the city. The people are incredibly friendly. Everyone wants to talk to you, have a chat and tell you how great you are.

“It’s so colourful and vibrant. I describe it as a melting pot of cultures which reminds me of Chicago in a way.”

United fans can look forward to more American magic at Eamonn Deacy Park next season.