McFaul has played for over 11 clubs in 5 countries throughout Europe, Asia and North America, including UCD (over two spells), Sporting Fingal & St Patrick's Athletic (over two spells) in Ireland, Notts County & Brighton & Hove Albion in England, FC Haka, KTP, Mikkelin Palloilijat & Sudet in Finland, Virginia Beach Mariners and Northern Colorado Hailstorm in the United States of America, and also DSK Shivajians in India.

Born in Dublin, Shane started out his career with local side C.A.R.C FC before moving on to the notorious schoolboy club Cherry Orchard.

Although losing 4–1 McFaul made a huge impression with his passing ability, energy and drive, and he therefore earned a starting spot 2 days later against Peterborough United.

2004–05 saw McFaul make 37 first team appearances, filling in for 20 games at right back although performing well it was at his preferred central midfield role where he excelled.

The highlights of the season was an outstanding performance live on television against Shamrock Rovers, earning not only the Man of the Match award but a call up to the Irish Under 21s squad.

[3] For the 2009 season McFaul signed with the newly founded but exciting project Sporting Fingal under the stewardship of former Irish International Liam Buckley.

Despite some impressive performances and being an ever-present in the starting line-up in the 2015 season, KTP suffered relegation to the Finnish First Division (Ykkönen) .

[8] On 17 August 2016, I-League club DSK Shivajians have announced the signing of former Irish youth international Shane McFaul for a two-year term (2016–18).

In January 2022, McFaul signed for newly founded USL League One club Northern Colorado Hailstorm, where he would play under manager Éamon Zayed, a former teammate of his at Sporting Fingal in Ireland.