[citation needed] O'Grady made his first appearance for the Cork senior team when he was selected at right wing-back for the 1928 Munster final against Clare.
[citation needed] During the 1928-29 National League, O'Grady was switched from wing-back to centre-forward, a position he retained for the 1929 Munster Championship.
The subsequent All-Ireland final against Kilkenny went to two replays, however, O'Grady claimed a third winners' medal after the 5-08 to 3-04 victory in the third game.
[citation needed] O'Grady was born in Buttevant, County Cork, the youngest of six surviving children of local plasterer Philip and Mary (née Ahern).
He later worked as a welder with Henry Ford & Son Ltd. O'Grady married Margaret Rea from Sunday's Well in the North Cathedral in August 1932.