The siblings stayed together for the first sixteen years of their careers, both playing concurrently for Celtic, Preston North End and Blackpool.
His scoring touch remained when he signed for Preston North End in 1935, netting 36 goals in 92 league games.
The following season, 1938–39, O'Donnell scored seven goals in thirteen appearances, including a hat-trick in a 5–1 victory over Chelsea at Bloomfield Road on 8 October 1938.
O'Donnell left Blackpool during the 1945–46 season, the final inter-war campaign, and signed for Aston Villa.
After stints with Nottingham Forest and Raith Rovers, O'Donnell became player/manager of non-league club Buxton in 1947.