Beginnings

Hogan was just out of the minor grade when he was added to the Kilkenny senior panel in 2007. That year he shared in his county's Leinster and All-Ireland triumphs, however, Hogan was yet to make his debut.^[14][15]

On 15 June 2008 Hogan made his senior championship debut in a 2–24 to 0–12 Leinster semi-final defeat of Offaly.^[16] It proved to be his only championship outing that year, however, he collected another set of Leinster and All-Ireland medals as a non-playing substitute.^[17][18]

Hogan collected a first National League medal in 2009, as Kilkenny beat Tipperary by 2–26 to 4–17 with a thrilling extra-time victory.^[19] He finished the game with 1–10 and the man of the match accolade, however, injury hampered him for the subsequent championship campaign. Hogan's only start that year came on 6 September as Kilkenny faced Tipperary in the All-Ireland decider. For long periods Tipp looked the likely winners, however, late goals from Henry Shefflin and substitute Martin Comerford finally killed off their efforts to secure a 2–22 to 0–23 victory.^[20] Hogan, who was substituted after suffering an ankle injury, had collected his first All-Ireland medal on the field of play.

Established player

In 2010 Kilkenny defeated Galway in an eagerly-anticipated but ultimately disappointing provincial decider. A 1–19 to 1–12 victory gave Hogan a 3rd Leinster medal.^[21] The drive for a fifth successive All-Ireland crown reached a head on 5 September 2010, when Kilkenny faced Tipperary in the All-Ireland decider. "The Cats" lost talisman Henry Shefflin due to injury, while Tipperary's Lar Corbett ran riot and scored a hat-trick of goals as Hogan's side fell to a 4–17 to 1–18 defeat.^[22]

Kilkenny's stranglehold in Leinster continued in 2011. A 4–17 to 1–15 defeat of Dublin gave "the Cats" a record-equalling seventh successive championship.^[23] It was Hogan's fourth winners. Kilkenny subsequently faced Tipperary in the All-Ireland decider on 4 September 2011. Goals by Michael Fennelly and Hogan in either half gave Kilkenny, who many viewed as the underdogs going into the game, a 2–17 to 1–16 victory.^[24] Hogan collected a second All-Ireland medal before later picking up his first All-Star.

Hogan received two broken ribs and a punctured lung in an accidental clash with Galway goalkeeper Jamie Ryan in the final round of the 2012 league.^[25] While a two-month absence was expected, Hogan recovered in time for the final. A 3–21 to 0–16 demolition of old rivals Cork gave him a second league medal.^[26] Kilkenny were later shocked by Galway in the Leinster decider, losing by 2–21 to 2–11, however, both sides subsequently met in the All-Ireland decider on 9 September 2012.^[27] Kilkenny had led going into the final stretch, however, Joe Canning struck a stoppage time equaliser to level the game at 2–13 to 0–19 and send the final to a replay for the first time since 1959.^[28] The replay took place three weeks later on 30 September 2012. Galway stunned the reigning champions with two first-half goals, however, Kilkenny's championship debutant Walter Walsh gave a man of the match performance, claiming a 1–3 haul. The 3–22 to 3–11 Kilkenny victory gave Hogan a 5th All-Ireland medal.^[29]

Kilkenny's dominance showed no sign of abating in 2013, with Hogan winning a third league medal following a 2–17 to 0–20 defeat of Tipperary in the decider.^[30]

Continued dominance

In 2014 Hogan collected his fourth league medal, as Kilkenny secured a narrow one-point 2–25 to 1–27 extra-time victory over Tipperary.^[31] Hogan subsequently secured a fifth Leinster medal, as a dominant Kilkenny display gave "the Cats" a 0–14 to 1–9 defeat of Dublin.^[32] On 7 September 2014, Kilkenny lined out in an All-Ireland decider with Tipperary. In what some consider to be the greatest game of all-time, the sides were level when Tipperary were awarded a controversial free. John O'Dwyer had the chance to win the game, however, his late free drifted wide resulting in a draw.^[33] Hogan's display in that drawn game earned him the man of the match award. The replay on 27 September 2014 was also a close affair. Goals from brothers Richie and John Power inspired Kilkenny to a 2–17 to 2–14 victory.^[34] It was Hogan's sixth All-Ireland medal. He later picked up a second All-Star, while he was also named Hurler of the Year. ^[35]

In the 2019 All-Ireland hurling final Hogan was sent off after 32 minutes following a challenge on Tipperary's Cathal Barrett.^[36]

On 1 September 2023, Hogan announced his retirement from inter-county hurling.^[37][38]