Cleary first played hurling and Gaelic football to a high standard as a student at St. Flannan's College in Ennis. He lined out for the college in all grades, including both the Harty Cup and Corn Uí Mhuirí competitions.[1][2] Cleary later played with and captainedNUI Galway in the Fitzgibbon Cup, a role which resulted in his inclusion on the Team of the Year in 2018.[3][4]
At club level, Cleary first played Gaelic football with St. Joseph's, Miltown Malbay, while he also played hurling with the Kilmaley club. He was part of the latter side's under-21 team that claimed the Clare U21AHC title in 2015.[5] Cleary has also won three Clare SFC medals with Miltown Malbay, as well as a Clare IHC title with Kilmaley in 2017.[6][7]
Cleary first appeared on the inter-county scene with Clare as a member of the minor team in 2012.[8] He subsequently progressed to the under-21 team and won back-to-back All-Ireland U21HC medals in 2013 and 2014.[9][10] He captained the team in his third and final season in 2015.[11] By that stage, Cleary had already joined the senior team.[12] He was at centre-back when Clare won the National League title in 2016.[13]