The Thistle Archive

A holding midfielder from Armagh, Oisin's father Liam was also a footballer, active in the Irish League. His uncle, Pat McGibbon, was a Northern Ireland international. Oisin began his career with Dungannon Swifts at the age of 12, making his senior debut in October 2018. He became club captain for the 2021–22 season. In January 2022, Smyth signed for League One club Oxford United having been linked with a move away from Dungannon Swifts the previous month. On 5 January 2023, Smyth joined National League club Solihull Moors on an initial one-month loan deal. He played three times for Solihull Moors before returning to his parent club.

His first goal for Oxford United, and his first in English football, was a 30-yard winner in a 2–1 away victory over Charlton Athletic on 1 January 2024. On 14 June 2024, he signed for St Mirren for an undisclosed fee. Smyth scored his first and second goal for St Mirren on his league debut for the club, in a 3–0 home win over Hibernian on the opening day of the Scottish Premiership season. On transfer deadline day in September 2025, Smyth joined Scottish Championship club Partick Thistle on a season long loan. He was temporarily recalled by his parent club on 12th January 2026, but it turned out to be a 10 day stint only.

The Northern Irishman enjoyed a strong loan spell at Thistle, impressing supporters not only with his ability to break up play, but with his forward-thinking footballing brain and his range of passing. His triumphant return from St Mirren was cemented with a powerhouse two-goal performance at McDiarmid Park in late January, calm and determined with a palpable will to win. His support for Tony Watt's amazing 70 yard run was exceptional, as was his strongly taken penalty at the very death. Like his team mate, Fraser Taylor, Oisin was unable to play in the play-off final games, St Mirren being his parent club. Following his succesful loan spell, Oisin penned a two-year permanent deal in June 2026, when Thistle gaffer Mark Wilson had this to say:

I don’t think I need to convince any Thistle fans about this particular signing. Oisin was a massive part of what we were able to do last season and it’s a real boost to have him back for good. He has a strong presence in the middle of the park, a tremendous range of passing and also had the knack of popping up with some timely goals which were directly responsible for getting points on the board. Not only is he a supremely talented player but he’s also one who fits our style of play brilliantly and that makes it a very exciting deal to get over the line.

2026 - SPFL CHAMPIONSHIP