Owens first appeared on the inter-county scene for Offaly as a dual player at minor level.
Owens was a panel member and came on as a substitute for Offaly's inaugural All-Ireland SHC success in 1981.
[6][7] After stepping down from this role, Owens was appointed Westmeath's minor hurling team manager in December 2015.
[8] After one season with Westmeath, he returned to club activity as Tullamore manager, before steering Camross to the Laois SHC title in 2018.
He was re-elected at three subsequent elections before announcing his retirement from politics in December 2023, when he also confirmed that he had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease.