Born in Lanarkshire to a Scottish mother and a father originally form County Tyrone who died in 1881,[2] O'Rourke started his career with Airdrieonians, where he spent eight years and won a Division Two title-winning medal in the 1902–03 season.
O'Rourke finished as top goalscorer with 21 goals in 1907–08, one ahead of strike partner Wallace Smith, including four in a 7–1 victory over Gainsborough Trinity as City won the Second Division title.
The season also saw City win its only piece of major silverware in its history when it defeated Newcastle United in the 1911 FA Cup Final.
O'Rourke scored just once in the run to the final when he netted the first goal in the 3–0 semi-final victory over Blackburn Rovers.
He remained as first-team trainer until 1926 when he retired to Scotland,[1] where he died in Bargeddie on Christmas Eve 1954, aged 77.