Harney first played hurling as a schoolboy at Newtown National School before later attending St Augustine's College in Dungarvan.
[1] He later progressed to the senior team and was a non-playing substitute when Kilkenny beat Waterford by 4-10 to 3-12 in the 1957 All-Ireland final.
Harney made his debut in a National Hurling League game against Cork the following year.
[2][3] Harney retired from inter-county hurling in 1962 but had his first club success that year when Ballydurn won the Waterford JHC title after a defeat of Fourmilewater.
Harney ended his club career by winning a Waterford IHC title in 1973.