Spillane first came to prominence as a hurler with St. Colman's College in Fermoy. Having played hurling in every grade during his time at the school, winning a White Cup title in the under-15 grade, he usually lined out in the forwards on the senior team in the Harty Cup.
University
As a student at University College Cork, Spillane joined the college senior team. In 2017 he was captain of the team for the Fitzgibbon Cup, while he has also lined out with the college in the county championship.
Club
Spillane joined the Castlelyons club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels, winning an under-21 championship medal in 2010 following a defeat of Ballinascarthy. He has also been selected for divisional side Imokilly in the senior championship.
Inter-county
Minor, under-21 and intermediate
Spillane first played for Cork at minor level on 26 June 2010 in a draw with Waterford. He was captain of the team for Cork's unsuccessful season in 2011 before playing for three unsuccessful seasons with the Cork under-21 team. By this stage, Spillane had also joined the Cork intermediate team, winning a Munster medal on 25 June 2014 after a 4-15 to 2-08 defeat of Tipperary. On 9 August 2014, he won an All-Ireland medal following a 2-18 to 2-12 defeat of Wexford in the final.
Senior
Spillane made his senior debut for Cork on 19 January 2013 in a Waterford Crystal Cup defeat of University College Cork at the Mardyke Arena. He made his first start in a National League relegation play-off defeat by Clare on 14 April 2013. Spillane was a regular member of the league panel for the 2014 campaign, before being released prior to the start of the championship and being omitted completely in 2015. Spillane returned to the senior panel in 2016, however, he missed the latter stages of the league and the championship after suffering a cruciate ligament injury in a game against Waterford. After recovering, he made his first championship start on 21 May 2017 in a Munster Championship quarter-final defeat of Tipperary. On 9 July 2017, Spillane won his first Munster medal following a 1-25 to 1-20 defeat of Clare in the final. On 1 July2018, Spillane won a second successive Munster medal following a 2-24 to 3-19 defeat of Clare in the final. He ended the season by being nominated for an All-Star Award. On 5 March 2019, it was confirmed that Spillane, who had missed the early stages of the National League, was not able to get back to full training until closer to the Munster Championship. The extent of his injuries resulted in Spillane missing the entire championship campaign. On 7 January 2020, Spillane returned to the Cork senior team when he lined out at right corner-back in Cork's 2-18 to 1-20 defeat by University College Cork in the Canon O'Brien Cup.
