He made his First Division debut in 1997–98 under manager John Rudge, coming on for Gareth Griffiths at half-time in a 4–2 defeat to Sunderland at Roker Park.
He became a regular under new manager Brian Horton in 1999–2000, making 25 appearances in league and cup, as the "Valiants" suffered relegation into the Second Division.
He was transfer listed following the club's humiliating FA Cup defeat to Canvey Island,[5] leaving him restricted to 15 appearances in 2000–01; one of these appearances was as a goalkeeper, as on 24 March Mark Goodlad was stretchered off after suffering head injuries on 28 minutes – Burns then went in goal and managed to keep a clean sheet in a goalless draw with Wigan Athletic.
[10] He then stayed at the Memorial Stadium on a short-term deal after impressing manager Ian Atkins,[11] however, after five games he joined league rivals Shrewsbury Town on non-contract terms on 10 December 2004, choosing to join Gary Peters' side rather than staying longer with Bristol Rovers.
They also reached the final of the League of Ireland Cup, losing out to Derry City after Kevin McHugh's extra time strike at the Brandywell Stadium.
Burns played in the 2008 FAI Cup final, as "Bohs" beat Derry on penalties in front of over 10,000 spectators at the Royal Dublin Society.
Burns missed just two league games all season and scored against former club Sligo at the Showgrounds and against Shamrock Rovers at the Tallaght Stadium.
He played 27 games in league and cup, forming a defensive partnership with Garry Breen, scoring once in a home defeat to Bray Wanderers.
[21] The "Gypsies" finished the 2011 season in fifth place under manager Pat Fenlon, with Burns playing in a centre-back partnership with Aidan Price.
On 9 April 2024, Burns, alongside Brian Gartland, was appointed as the interim manager of Dundalk following the departure of head coach Stephen O'Donnell with the club bottom of the League of Ireland Premier Division with three points from eight games.