Liam Devaney started his inter-county hurling career with two Munster and All-Ireland minor titles in 1952 and 1953. He made his debut with the Tipperary senior team in the National League campaign of 1954-55, winning the first of his eight league medals with the county. Championship success eluded him until 1958, when he won the first of five All-Ireland championships. The other four were in 1961, when he played a major part in Tipperary’s victory over Dublin, 1962, 1964 and 1965. He was also on the losing side in three finals and retired from inter-county hurling after the 1968 defeat. He also won eight Munster championship medals in those years. Liam Devaney was the most versatile of players and is reputed to have played for Tipperary in every position on the field except full back. He moved to centre back during the 1961 All-Ireland and excelled in that position. For many his outstanding position was at wing forward, where he had the facility to score long range points, from his left or right side. Liam’s star quality was recognised in 1961, when he was presented with the Texaco Hurler of the Year award. His other achievements include three Railway Cup medals in 1961, 1963 and 1966, plus six Oireachtas medals, won between 1960 and 1968. He was on the Borris/Ileigh team that won divisional and county senior finals in 1953. He won three divisional senior medals in 1955, 1972 and 1973. In spite of offers to transfer to Thurles Sarsfields, following his move to reside in the Cathedral Town, he remained faithful to his
native parish and finished his playing days with them in the mid 1970s.
The Knocknagow award was presented to Liam Devaney at The Park Hotel, Clonmel on January 23, 2016.

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