His championship career as a dual player with the Dublin and Kilkenny senior teams spanned nine seasons from 1906 until 1914.
Raised on the family farm, he was educated locally before attending St. Joseph's CBS and St. Kieran's College.
After moving to Dublin, Grace joined the Kickhams club where he played both hurling and Gaelic football.
Success at club level allowed Grace join the Dublin senior football team during the 1906 championship.
Grace later joined the Kilkenny senior hurling team, winning three successive All-Ireland medals between 1911 and 1913.