Steve O’Shaughnessy played three league games for Exeter City in 1991 after appearing over a hundred times for Rochdale. Not fitting in with new manager Alan Ball's plans he later moved on to Darlington ahead of a long career in Welsh football.  

Steve joined Leeds United as an apprentice in 1984 and, representing Wales at youth international level along the way, signed professional forms in October 1985. Switching to Bradford City almost immediately, Steve made just one substitute for the Bantams in the league ahead of moving to Rochdale in August 1988 where he became a regular performer and made 109 league appearances (scoring 16 goals).

Steve was to become one of Terry Cooper’s final signings when he joined Exeter City for a £10,000 fee in July 1991. Quickly making his debut against Brentford on 24 August 1991, and receiving a red card against Shrewsbury Town the following week, Steve was soon deemed as surplus to requirements by incoming manager Alan Ball and subsequently had his contract cancelled in November 1991. 

Agreeing terms with Darlington in January 1992, Steve appeared in 88 league matches for the Quakers before playing for Stalybridge Celtic and Hong Kong Rangers. He then enjoyed a lengthy career in Welsh football with Inter Cardiff, Barry Town, Holywell Town, Caernarfon Town, Rhyl, TNS Llansantffraid and Bangor City prior to serving as player-manager at Oswestry Town and then Cefn Druids. Working next at Wrexham’s centre of excellence, Steve returned to management with Caernarfon Town, Connah’s Quay Nomads and, between 2016 and 2022, Airbus UK Broughton.