Martin was a noted goal-scorer from his days in the local Minor and Junior Leagues, once scoring a nine goals in one game. A planned two-month trial with
Derby County in 1949 was cut short when
Dundalk claimed he was registered with the club. Martin was a member of the 'C' team that was successful in the Leinster Junior Shield in the 1949–50 season. His senior debut came in a 3–2 City Cup victory over
Bohemians on 11 September 1949. Martin's performances earned his selection for the
League of Ireland XI that played the West German League in 1951. An injury restricted his early appearances in the
1951–52 season, however, he ended the season with an
FAI Cup winners' medal after a win over
Cork Athletic in a replay. The next four seasons brought no more club success. At the end of the
1955–56 season, he became only the third Dundalk player to score 100 goals. After being released by Dundalk at the end of the 1955–56 season, he joined
Portadown. An unsuccessful two months with
Bangor was followed by a spell with
Tandragee Rovers before returning to Dundalk for two more years after which he retired at the age of 29. ==Post-playing career==