Born in Hartlepool in 1958, Feeney had success as an amateur, winning junior titles and was runner-up at the 1976 ABA Championships.
After winning his first 18 fights, he challenged for Johnny Owen's British and Commonwealth bantamweight titles in June 1980 at the Empire Pool, Wembley, losing in points.
He lost on points to Adriano Arreola in March, and in April was stopped in the thirteenth round when challenging for Paul Ferreri's Commonwealth title at the Sydney Opera House.
His fourth and final shot at the European title came in November 1984, losing to Ciro De Leva by unanimous decision.
By 1986, Feeney had moved up to featherweight, and in April faced Robert Dickie for the vacant British title, losing by half a point.