 Hannigan had three different spells with Shels as a player from 1961–66, 1972–74, and finally in the 1980/81 season.His first spell was the most successful as Shels won the league championship in 1962 after defeating Cork Celtic in a play-off and then defeating Cork Hibernians in the following year's FAI Cup final.In December 1965 he signed for Wrexham but was soon back home with Dundalk where he won the League in 1967.