He signed for Nottingham Forest in November 1968 and made his League debut on 30 April 1969 against Leeds United F.C.
During his career, and despite being troubled persistently by injuries, O'Kane made 20 international appearances for Northern Ireland.
O'Kane moved onto the coaching staff at Nottingham Forest after his playing days and was the only man to have survived throughout the Brian Clough years until Joe Kinnear arrived at the club.
[citation needed] O'Kane finally left his position at the club in early 2005 after a 36-year spell.
This biographical article relating to Northern Irish association football is a stub.