Born in Castlehaven, County Cork, Cahalane first played competitive Gaelic football at juvenile and underage levels with the Castlehaven club. After winning a number of divisional and county championship medals in all grades from under-12 to under-21, Cahalane joined the senior team in 1979.
Cahalane was born in Castlehaven, County Cork, and initially played competitive Gaelic football for the Castlehaven club at juvenile and underage levels. After winning a significant number of divisional and county championship medals across all grades from under-12 to under-21, Cahalane joined the senior team in 1979.