Delaney was a product of Irish club Cork City and he arrived at Filbert Street just months after penning his first part-time professional contract with the club. Delaney had captained Cork's FAI Youth Cup-winning side of 2000 and that leadership caught the attention of then-City boss Peter Taylor.

He was seen as a squad player, or one for the future, at the time and made his debut in a Leicester shirt as a substitute in an FA Cup tie against York City at home in January 2001. The first real chance for City fans to see him in action came in another FA Cup clash against Aston Villa later that season, in which he played a part in Arnar Gunnlaugsson's 'Goal of the Season' winner.

His performances for the Foxes saw him pick up Republic of Ireland U21 recognition at the end of that season. But his time at Filbert Street didn't last long. He'd made just eleven appearances in league and cup for Leicester and followed Peter Taylor to Hull City in 2002 after loan stints with Stockport County, Huddersfield Town and Mansfield Town.

Delaney, who could play at full-back or centre-back, went on to make 224 appearances for the Tigers before going on to play for Queens Park Rangers and Ipswich Town.