Hanley enjoyed a successful playing career at club level with Athenry at the height of their power throughout the nineties.
At club level, he has served as manager and assistant with the Liam Mellows and Garrycastle senior teams.
[1] Hanley enjoyed a hugely successful playing career during a golden age for the Athenry senior hurling team.
[4] Hanley secured a fourth county championship medal in 1999, as Athenry retained their title following another victory over Abbey-Duniry.
A thrilling 3-24 to 2-19 extra-time victory gave Hanley a third All-Ireland winners' medal while Athenry became the second club ever to retain the title.
However, Hanley won a seventh county championship medal in 2004 following a two-point defeat of Portumna.
A fourth All-Ireland title proved beyond the westerners as James Stephens had a commanding 0-19 to 0-14 win over Hanley's side.
[citation needed] Hanley was appointed interim manager of the Westmeath senior hurling team in April 2011 following the removal of Kevin Martin from the post.
[citation needed] Following Hanley's success as interim manager, he was appointed on a full-time basis.
His second season in charge saw Westmeath narrowly miss out on promotion to Division 1B of the National Hurling League.