Ryan O'Kane

Ryan O'Kane (born 16 August 2003) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as winger for League of Ireland Premier Division club Sligo Rovers.

Career Youth career Born and raised in Dundalk, O'Kane played with local clubs Glenmuir, Rock Celtic, and Bellurgan United, before being called up to the Dundalk Schoolboys League's representative side for the SuperCupNI in 2018, in which he scored 3 goals in 5 appearances before being named Junior Player of the Tournament. He then moved to one of Dublin's top academy sides Home Farm before earning a move to NIFL Premiership club Warrenpoint Town.

Warrenpoint Town O'Kane made his senior debut for Warrenpoint Town on 10 August 2019, aged just 15, when he came off the bench for the final 20 minutes against Larne. He made a further 2 senior appearances for the club but made no more after manager Stephen McDonnell was sacked, with O'Kane being released at the end of the season. He made his debut for the club on 26 March 2021, coming off the bench in a 2–1 defeat to Finn Harps at Oriel Park. O'Kane made his first career appearance in Europe on 13 July 2021, replacing Daniel Kelly in the 69th minute of a 1–0 win away to Welsh side Newtown in the UEFA Europa Conference League. He made 10 appearances in all competitions during his first season with the club. He scored his first career goal in senior football on 26 August 2022, when he equalised in the 76th minute away to Wexford in the FAI Cup, as his side went on to win 3–2 after extra time at Ferrycarrig Park. On 24 October 2022, he signed a new 2 year contract with the club. On 1 May 2023, O'Kane scored his sides second goal of the game in a 2–0 win away to UCD, finding the top left corner from 25 yards. In the summer of 2023, he featured in all 4 of his sides UEFA Europa Conference League games as they knocked out Bruno's Magpies of Gibraltar before being knocked out by KA of Iceland. On 19 July 2024, he made his 100th appearance for the club, in a 2–1 defeat at away to Drogheda United in the FAI Cup. O'Kane made 36 appearances in all competitions in 2024, scoring 4 goals as his club were relegated to the League of Ireland First Division, ending a 16 year spell in the top flight.

Shelbourne On 26 November 2024, it was announced that O'Kane had signed a long-term contract with Damien Duff's Shelbourne. He made his debut for the club on 7 February 2025, replacing Harry Wood from the bench in the 72nd minute of the 2025 President of Ireland's Cup which his side defeated Drogheda United to earn the first medal of his senior career. Having made just 5 substitute appearances in the league by June 2025, O'Kane was sent out on loan in search of more regular first team football.

Sligo Rovers On 1 July 2025, O'Kane joined fellow League of Ireland Premier Division club Sligo Rovers on loan until the end of the season. On 25 July 2025, he scored his first goal for the club, with an 89th minute winner to complete his side's comeback from 2–0 down to win the game 3–2 away to relegation rivals Cork City at Turners Cross. He scored 2 goals in 14 appearances in all competitions during his loan spell with the club, as he helped them to secure their Premier Division status on the final day of the season. On 16 March 2026, O'Kane suffered a double fracture to his arm in a 1–0 defeat away to his former club Dundalk, with the injury requiring surgery, the recovery period keeping him out of action until May.

Career statistics

Honours Club Shelbourne President of Ireland's Cup: 2025

Individual Dundalk Young Player of the Year: 2023