Usually lining out at corner-back, he was a member of the Galway team that won the 1923 All-Ireland Championship.
After being selected for the Galway senior team in 1922, he won a Connacht medal in his debut championship.
He won his sole All-Ireland medal in 1923 after Galway's defeat of Limerick in the final.
Dervan was included on the Ireland team at the Tailteann Games in 1924 and 1928, for which he was awarded gold medals.
He was named in the left corner-back position on the Galway Team of the Millennium.