Having been a member of the Cork minor hurling team 1963, “Eddio”, as he was affectionately known, made a quick rise to the county senior team in 1965 when himself and clubmate Justin McCarthy occupied the two wing forward positions in two games against Waterford and a superb Tipperary team in the Munster final.

In 1966 when Cork seniors made the long awaited breakthrough “Eddio” was, inexplicably, not part of the panel. He did however play a leading role at corner-forward in the Cork under - 21 team which claimed the All-Ireland title after three epic games against Wexford.

In 1969 his continued good form could not be ignored and he again became part of the Cork senior team which strode a very impressive path to the All-Ireland final.

“Eddio’s” very harsh removal from the team at half-time in that game proved to be the injustice which drove him on to greater achievements in 1970. As in 1969 Cork again showed impressive form in the Munster championship and were to come up against Wexford in a game which certainly would live forever in the memories of the Passage people who were present. “Eddio” proceeded to right the injustice of 1969 by scoring 3 goals and 1 point, while his passage clubmate Pat Quigly scored 2 goals and 1 point for his native Wexford.

Despite his great achievements on the hurling field with Cork “Eddio” will be best remembered for his prowess in the big ball code in the Passage club. His ability to convert frees, with ease, with both left and right foot, set him apart in City Division junior football in the 1960’s and early 1970’s. His kick from the sideline (from the ground) which won the City Division replay against Douglas in 1969 is as memorable as his hat trick of goals in Croke Park the following year.

“Eddio’s” emigration to the U.S.A. in the early 1970’s was a big blow to the Passage club as he was the player who could never be described as “ordinary”.