Taylor first played hurling to a high standard as a student at St. Flannan's College in Ennis. He lined out for the college in all grades, including the Harty Cup.[1] He later played with NUI Galway in the Fitzgibbon Cup.[2]
At club level, Taylor first played hurling at underage levels with Clooney-Quin. He was part of the club's senior team that was beaten in a replay by Sixmilebridge in the 2017 SHC final.[3]
Flanagan first appeared on the inter-county scene with Clare at minor level in 2013.[4] He progressed to the under-21 team, with whom he spent two unsuccessful seasons.[5] In spite of having earlier been a member of the extended training panel, it was only in November 2017 that Taylor earned a call-up to the senior team.[6][7]
In 2023, Taylor suffered the "curse of the cruciate" also known as an injury to his ACL which would remove him from playing games for about nine months.[8] He expects to return at the end of May 2024.[9]
On 21 July 2024, he came on as a substitute as Clare won the All-Ireland for the first time in 11 years after an extra-time win against Cork by 3-29 to 1-34, claiming their fifth All-Ireland title.[10][11][12][13]