Millwall Sweeney was born in
Glasgow and moved with his family to
London when he was three-years-old. He started his career at
Millwall, where he made his debut in 2002, but he had to wait another year for his breakthrough. Sweeney played 34 times for Millwall in
2003–04 and he played a major role in the Lions' route to the
2004 FA Cup Final, where he started against
Manchester United at the
Millennium Stadium, Millwall lost 3–0. Following the cup final appearance, Millwall received a place in the
UEFA Cup for the
2004–05 season, in which Sweeney played a part in the first round of the tournament, where they were defeated by Hungarian side
Ferencvárosi.
Stoke City On 1 July 2005 Sweeney signed for
Stoke City for a fee of £250,000. His start at Stoke was hampered after he injured his back in a pre-season match against
Newcastle Town, which ruled him out for the first three months of the
2005–06. Once he recovered from his injury Sweeney went on to play 20 times scoring once on the final day of the season against
Brighton & Hove Albion. He scored against
Luton Town in a 2–2 draw early in the
2006–07 season but soon lost his place in the side and joined
Yeovil Town on loan in January 2007. He played eight times for the Golvers before returning to Stoke in April 2007. On 22 November 2007 he signed a two-month loan deal at
Walsall where he made seven appearances.
Leeds United Early in the January 2008
transfer window Stoke accepted an undisclosed bid for the midfielder from Leeds United, with whom he swiftly agreed personally terms, and it was announced that he would sign, subject to a medical the following week. He finalised the move on 10 January, joining the club on a two–and–a–half–year deal. Despite starting in the last few games of
Dennis Wise reign as Leeds manager, including making his debut away to Crewe and providing the assist for
Jermaine Beckford's winning header, Sweeney failed to establish himself under managers
Gary McAllister and
Simon Grayson.
Grimsby Town Sweeney made a loan move in March 2009 to Grimsby Town, signing until the end of the season, along with
Bradford City forward
Barry Conlon and fellow Leeds player
Jonathan Lund. Sweeney went on to be part of a Grimsby side that would make a late surge in the league, and that would eventually stave off the threat of relegation from the
Football League. Following the close of the 2008–09 season and the end of his loan spell, he was released from his contract at Leeds, following a one-and-a-half-year spell at the
West Yorkshire club. On 3 July 2009, after much speculation, Sweeney re–signed for Grimsby on a two–year deal. He scored his first goal for
The Mariners against
Rotherham United in a 2–1 defeat at home. Sweeney then scored a superb volley against his former club Leeds in the third round of the
Football League Trophy at
Elland Road: a corner resulted in Leeds keeper
Casper Ankergren punching the ball out to Sweeney, who smashed in a left foot volley from the edge of the area that crashed in off the underside of the crossbar; however Grimsby went on to lose the game 3–1. On 18 December, he scored another spectacular goal after hitting a dipping volley from the edge of the box in a 1–1 home draw with
Morecambe. Sweeney continued to hold down a position in the centre of midfield throughout the 2009–10 season. On 12 May 2010, he was one of seven players placed on the transfer list by Grimsby manager
Neil Woods after their relegation from the Football League.
Bury Sweeney joined
Bury on 25 June 2010 signing a two–year deal. Despite failing to hold down a regular starting place for "The Shakers" during the
2010–11 season, Sweeney performed consistently when called upon by manager
Alan Knill. Following Knill's departure, Sweeney entered the fold under
Richie Barker following suspensions and injuries to regular midfield duo
Damien Mozika and
Steven Schumacher eventually helping the club to earn
promotion from
League Two. Sweeney made 41 appearances in
League One, scoring 4 goals during the
2011–12 season and made 21 appearances, scoring 1 goal, in all competitions during the
2012–13 season for Bury before being sold to AFC Wimbledon on 8 January 2013. During his time at Bury, Sweeney made a total of 95 appearances, which is the most games he has ever played for one club.
AFC Wimbledon On 8 January 2013 Sweeney signed for League Two side
AFC Wimbledon for a free transfer. After only seven appearances for "The Dons", Sweeney suffered a broken foot in a game against
Northampton Town on 19 February 2013 at
The Cherry Red Records Stadium. The injury put him out of action for the remainder of the
2012–2013 season. He returned during AFC Wimbledon's
2013–2014 pre–season campaign, scoring in a
behind closed doors game against
Gillingham on 2 July 2013 that ended 2–1 to "The Gills". Sweeney came on as a substitute for
Harry Pell in AFC Wimbledon's next
friendly game against
Dartford on 6 July 2013 at
Princes Park, the game ended 2–2.
Dartford In August 2014, he signed for
Conference Premier side
Dartford on a one-year contract. In May 2015, Sweeney was released by the club following relegation to the
National League South and the expiration of his contract.
Later career Following his release from Dartford Sweeney joined
Greenwich Borough in June 2015. ==Coaching career==