Playing at both midfield and half-forward positions, he was a member of the Cork senior team from 1959 until 1965.
[1] Gallagher first played inter-county hurling as a dual player with the Cork minor teams in 1956 and 1957.
He subsequently joined the Cork junior hurling team, winning an All-Ireland medal in 1958.
[citation needed] Gallagher was later added to the Cork senior team, making his debut during the 1959 championship.
He was a regular member of the team over the following six season, and his senior career ended after the 1965 championship.