Chaplin first played hurling to a high standard as a schoolboy at Shannon Comprehensive School.
He was part of the school team beaten by St Flannan's College in an all-Clare Harty Cup final in 1989.
[1] Chaplin also enjoyed his first club success that year when Sixmilebridge claimed the Clare SHC title.
Chaplin was also part of the Sixmilebridge team that beat Dunloy in the 1996 All-Ireland club final.
As part of the Clare junior team, Chaplin won an All-Ireland JHC medal in 1993 after a defeat of Kilkenny in the final.