[2][3] As a schoolboy and youth Gibbons played association football for Dublin City U14s, Home Farm U16s and Bohemians U19.
Gibbons initially played as a centre half, however in a youth trial game against a Liverpool FA XI he switched to centre-forward.
In 1950–51 he helped St Pat's win the Leinster title and they were subsequently invited to join the League of Ireland.
In 1951–52 Gibbons scored 26 goals in 22 games, including four hat-tricks, and finished the season as the League of Ireland Top Scorer.
His goals also helped St Pat's win their first League of Ireland title in their debut season.
[3] Gibbons represented the Republic of Ireland at youth, junior, inter-league and senior levels.
He won his second cap on 28 October 1953 in a 4–0 win at Dalymount Park against Luxembourg in a 1954 World Cup qualifier.