Rice was signed by then Bohs manager Stephen Kenny in 2003, after spells in the youth ranks at Coventry City and Shelbourne.

In the 2007 season, under Sean Connor, Bohemians signed Owen Heary, regarded as the country's premier right-full, and Mark Rossiter, another player in that position.

In August 2007, following an alleged contract dispute with Bohs, Sean Connor told Rice he was free to leave and would not play for the club again while he was in charge.

On 23 February 2016, Rice impressed boss Alan Kernaghan in a friendly with Derry City and was awarded a contract until the end of the season.

Kernaghan said "I am delighted to have signed a player with such great experience and above all an obvious hunger to play for Glentoran and move us forward".

In October 2000, Rice played for the Republic of Ireland national football team U16s in a qualifying tournament in Riga for the 2001 UEFA European Under-16 Championship where he came up against Andrés Iniesta.