Inter-county Houlahan made his Championship debut for Armagh in 1984. That year he helped Armagh reach the
Ulster Senior Football Championship final, but they were beaten Houlahan finally won an Ulster Championship medal in 1999 - making a substitute appearance in the decider against
Down. The subsequent
All-Ireland semi-final defeat to
Kerry proved to be Houlahan's last appearance in an Armagh jersey. He announced his retirement in January 2001, aged 34. Houlahan has since settled down with his wife, Deirdre and his three children, Caleigh (the oldest), Odhran and the Kyran.
Club Houlahan had a successful underage career with Pearse Óg. In 1985 he helped the club win their first-ever
Armagh Senior Football Championship, beating local rivals
Armagh Harps in the final. He won further Armagh Championships with the club in 1988 and 1992. He also reached the 1988
Ulster Club Championship final with the club, where they were defeated by Burren.
Province Houlahan won two
Railway Cup medals with
Ulster.
School / college Houlahan, playing centre half forward, helped University of Ulster Jordanstown (UUJ) win the 1986
Sigerson Cup and was named Player of the Tournament.
Soccer Houlihan played one season for
Sligo Rovers in the
League of Ireland. ==Post-playing career==