After finishing his secondary education Hawkins was offered a 2-year contract with then English Premiership side Coventry City after impressing in trials.
Despite interest from several British sides Hawkins signed for Irish top flight club St Patrick's Athletic, where he linked up with fellow Bronze medallists from the FIFA World Youth Championships, Trevor Molloy and Thomas Morgan.
Hawkins immediately earned a starting spot alongside Packie Lynch and their solid base helped St Pats win the championship in his first season.
Towards the end of the season it was announced that he would not stay with St Pats, but join English Football Conference side Doncaster Rovers.
In January 2007 Hawkins made a free transfer back to Championship side Coventry City, the team where he signed his first professional contract.
This time however Hawkins went on to make several very impressive appearances in his first season back, helping Coventry City stay clear of relegation.
A troublesome Achilles injury restricted Hawkins to just a solitary start in his second season (against Notts County in the League Cup) and with the arrival of new manager Chris Coleman he was deemed surplus to requirements and his contract was not renewed.