[4][5][6] Carney played Gaelic football for Valleymount GAA in west county Wicklow and won a junior championship medal in 1998 with the club.

Carney first made an impression on the rugby league scene playing for the Irish Students side in a home international tournament in 1998.

His impressive form led to a number of Super League clubs vying for his talents and he opted to sign with Gateshead Thunder.

Since making the professional ranks, Carney, who is a qualified lawyer, was a regular in the senior colours of Ireland and featured heavily in the Lincoln Financial World Cup of 2000.

Carney signed a new three-year contract with Wigan in May 2003, ending speculation that had been linking him with a move to Irish rugby union.

Despite a hamstring injury restricting his club appearances, Carney was selected in the Great Britain team to compete in the end of season 2004 Rugby League Tri-Nations tournament.

In June 2005 Carney agreed to join new National Rugby League franchise team, Australia's Gold Coast Titans, at the end of his Wigan contract.

Upon signing the deal, Gold Coast managing director Michael Searle told NRL's official website, www.nrl.com: "The guy genuinely wanted to come here.

However, on 16 January 2007 he announced his retirement from all forms of rugby after only participating in one training session with the Gold Coast, indicating that he wished to finish his legal studies and spend more time with his family.

On Thursday 15 March 2007, BBC Sport reported that Carney had signed for Munster, switching to rugby union, with speculation rife that he would be fast-tracked onto Ireland's team for its tour of Argentina in summer 2007.

[7] Because he had walked out on his contract with the Gold Coast Titans, Munster had to pay compensation to the Australian club to secure Carney's registration.

Carney provided commentary for Sky Sport's coverage of the 2009 Super League Grand Final, and the 2009 Gillette Four Nations tournament.