Beginning his career at Derry City, he went on to play with Institute, Finn Harps, and Coleraine.
He retired from playing in 2015 to take on the role of assistant manager under newly appointed Institute boss Kevin Deery.
[2] In his first season as manager he guided 'Stute back to the top flight of Northern Irish football by winning the 2017–18 NIFL Championship.
After receiving much praise for his team's attacking playing-style during their Premiership return, McLaughlin found himself linked with the vacant managerial positions at a number of clubs including Coleraine, Derry City and Cliftonville.
[3] On 13 March 2022 Paddy McLaughlin guided his Cliftonville side to victory over Coleraine in League Cup final at Windsor Park, to win the club's sixth league cup victory and his first major trophy at football club.