 Traynor was born in Dundalk and originally was the product of local club St Patricks.He had just turned 17 years of age when he was promoted, on 10 September 1950, from the club's reserve and youth squad for a Dublin City Cup trip to Limerick's Market's Field.Keeping his place for the next two games which were away from home he made his Oriel Park debut on 31 December 1950 in a League of Ireland as a substitute in a game against Sligo Rovers.