Neary played hurling at all levels during his schooldays at St Kieran's College in Kilkenny.
He spent two years with the college's senior team and won a Dr Croke Cup title in 2023, before captaining the team to a second successive title in 2024.
[3] At inter-county level, Neary spent two years with Kilkenny's minor team.
He won a Leinster MHC medal in 2021 after a 1–15 to 2–10 defeat of Wexford in the final.
[5] Neary was listed amongst the substitutes for Kilkenny's game against Wexford in the National Hurling League in February 2025.