Pat O'Toole appeared in half-a-dozen league games for Exeter City in 1991 when on loan from Leicester City. After moving from the League of Ireland aged twenty-five, he also featured for Shrewsbury Town and Torquay United in a relatively brief Football League career.  

Pat started as an 18-year-old with Shamrock Rovers in 1983 and, after several seasons with Shelbourne, moved to Leicester City in February 1990. Unable to break into the first team he was loaned to Exeter City in December 1990 and made his debut against Crewe Alexandra on 1 January 1991. Making just six league appearances for the Grecians, Pat returned to Filbert Street and was almost immediately released to join Shrewsbury Town in March 1991.

Starting 26 league games for his new club - and coming off the bench on another twenty occasions - Pat remained in Shropshire until the end of 1992/93 season when he returned to Devon to make three league appearances for Torquay United during August and September 1993. Soon released from Plainmoor, he initially returned to Shropshire with Bridgnorth Town ahead of brief stints with Cobh Ramblers and Shamrock Rovers before later turning out for Halifax Town, Stafford Rangers, Welshpool, Bray Wanderers, Crusaders and - between 1999 and 2001 - Newry Town.