He played hurling with his local club Castlegar and with the Galway senior inter-county team from 1923 until 1935.
By 1925 King had established himself on the team, as Galway beat Kilkenny by 9-4 to 6-0 in the All-Ireland semi-final to set up a championship decider with Tipperary.
The next two seasons saw Galway face defeat in the All-Ireland semi-final; however, the team received special treatment in 1928.
It was King's sole National League title and his only major honour from inter-county activity.
After suffering a number of consecutive defeats in the All-Ireland semi-final, King retired from inter-county hurling in 1935.