Rene is a Dublin born goalkeeper who played for local side St Kevin's Boys before signing for English club Walsall in 2005. He joined Watford in July 2010 after making 35 league appearances for Walsall in his five years at the club. But he made just 2 league appearances for Watford and went out on loan spells at Yeovil and Crawley before signing for Plymouth Argyle in 2012. He made 16 league and cup appearances for the Home Park side but left in June of 2013 and returned to Ireland where he signed up with Liam Buckley at St Patrick's Athletic.

Rene made his debut for Pats in an EA Cup tie against Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium on 23 July 2013. Pats lost 2-1 on the night but went on to win the League that season with Rene being an unused substitute on 12 occasions over the latter half of the year as well as making 2 further full appearances in the Leinster Senior cup. He made just 1 league appearance in 2014, coming on as a half-time substitute in the 6-0 win over Drogheda United in June, and left the club to sign for English Championship side Watford on 25 August 2014.