He was part of the youth setup managed by former Grimsby and Middlesbrough forward Paul Wilkinson that featured the likes of Cameron Jerome.

Hegarty progressed at youth level until towards the end of the 2003–2004 season when he was added to the first team squad soon after the sacking of manager Paul Groves.

However, he would have to wait until over a year later until he would make his first team debut, coming on as a late substitute for Andy Parkinson in a 4–1 away victory against Kidderminster Harriers on the final away game of the 2004–05 season.

Hegarty was to play a number of games in the 2006–07 season and became more involved in the first team under the tenure of Alan Buckley and his performances would eventually see him awarded a new two-year deal in the summer of 2007.

His performances by the end of the 08–09 season had generally improved and his good form drew praise from several opposition managers which coincided with the Mariners' late surge to safety.

[11] He later re-joined Mansfield on trial in late October 2011 with a view to once again earning a contract,[12] signing the following day on a two-month deal.

In his first season with Hume, Hegarty won the Football Federation Victoria Gold Medal award, given to the best player of the Victorian Premier League.