He then moved to the West Torrens Football Club in 1903 where he earned selection for the South Australian state team.
On reaching Melbourne, with the team, Tierney refused to play, in protest over the non-selection of Sturt ruckman "Taffy" Wayne.
It was reported that while still having the stamina, Tierney's reflexes had slowed down by this time and after a lacklustre 1911 season he decided to retire from league football.
In March 1917, he enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force in Adelaide, but was discharged three months later after being declared unfit for service.
South Australia (SAFA) 11.12 (78) d Broken Hill (Barrier Ranges FA) 1.7 (13), 22 July 1905, Adelaide Oval