Hickey first played hurling at club level with the St Lachtain's club in Freshford. He was part of the St Lachtain's team that won the Kilkenny JHC title in 1959. Hickey later captained St Lachtain's to their very first Kilkenny SHC title after a defeat of the Near South in 1961. He claimed a second Kilkenny SHC medal in 1963.[2]
Hickey's hurling career ended shortly after the All-Ireland final victory. He spent a number of years working in England before returning to Freshford in 1994. Hickey's health declined after his return and he died at St. Vincent's Hospital in Athy on 12 April 2000, at the age of 66.[6]