[1] Devine began his career with English club Arsenal along with a number of fellow Irish apprentices, He progressed through the youth ranks at Highbury and played in the 1980 FA Cup final defeat against West Ham United.
He spent two years at Carrow Road making 69 appearances and was an unused substitute in the 1985 Football League Cup final.
Part of a large young Irish contingent at Arsenal (which also included Liam Brady, David O'Leary and Frank Stapleton), Devine turned professional in 1976.
He joined Norwich City in the summer of 1983 and played 69 games in two seasons for the "Canaries", and was a member of the squad in the 1985 League Cup final win.
[1] At the Victoria Ground Devine had the unenviable task of filling in for the retired Alan Hudson and made a good start as on his debut Stoke beat Oldham Athletic 4–2.
He returned to Ireland with Shamrock Rovers in 1989 making his debut on 9 August in the Leinster Senior Cup (association football).
From 1987 to 1988, he appeared in 18 matches for the Red and gold brigade in Calcutta Football League and Durand Cup, scoring a goal.