He joined hometown club Galway United during the 2002 off-season and helped the club into the League of Ireland First Division play-off final in the 2002–03 season, which ended in defeat to Premier Division side Drogheda United. In August 2004, Folan departed the club to join Galway & District League club Galway Hibernians, where he began his career. He won the title with he club during the 2005–06 season. Folan appeared for the Republic Of Ireland at the 1997 UEFA European U18 Championship in Iceland, eventually losing the third place playoff to Spain. He won six U21 caps as Republic Of Ireland failed to qualify for the 2000 UEFA European U21 Championship. Folan is the older brother of footballer Stephen Folan. Brentford   Galway Hibernians