He played from 2001 to 2009, winning an All Star and an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship as a player with Armagh in 2002. O'Rourke played football with his local club Dromintee St Patrick's GAC. On 8 October 2012, O'Rourke was named Louth manager.
Team 1 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship (2002) 7 Ulster Senior Football Championships (1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008) 1 National Football League Division 1 (2005) 2 Ulster Minor League & Championships (1992, 1994) Individual 1 Irish News Ulster All Stars Award (2003) 1 All Stars Award (2002).
