He played hurling with his local club Blackrock and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1922 until 1931.
Delea later lined out in his first All-Ireland decider as snow covered Croke Park for an October final.
Kilkenny provided the opposition on that occasion, however, Cork were victorious giving Delea his first All-Ireland medal.
Galway, a team who had received a bye into the final without playing a single game, provided the opposition on this occasion.
Delea scored two of Cork's points as 'the Rebels' romped home with a 27-point win giving him a second All-Ireland medal.
Cork lost their provincial crown in 1930, however, the team bounced back in 1931 with Delea winning a fifth Munster medal.
Cork eventually triumphed in the third game with Delea picking up his fourth All-Ireland medal.
His father, a brewery worker, won All-Ireland Championships with Cork as a member of their first three-in-a-row team between 1892 and 1894.