O'Halloran first came to hurling prominence as a schoolboy with St. Patrick's Comprehensive School in Shannon.
He was a substitute on the school team that was beaten by St. Flannan's College in the final of the Harty Cup in 1989.
[2] O'Halloran simultaneously progressed through the various grades at club level with Sixmilebridge before eventually joining the senior team.
[3] O'Halloran first appeared on the inter-county scene when he earned a call-up to the Clare under-21 hurling team in 1992, however, he left the panel before the start of the championship.
Over the following four seasons he was part of two All-Ireland Championship-winning teams and also claimed three Munster Championship medals.