Background
He was born in Blackrock, County Cork, Ireland.
He was born in Blackrock, County Cork, Ireland.
Club Delea played his club hurling with the famous Blackrock club in Cork. Inter-county Delea first came to prominence on the inter-county scene in the mid-1920s. 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.
The Dublin team, which consisted of nine GardaĆ, trounced the Corkmen on a score line of 4-8 to 1-3. Delea captured a third Munster title in 1928 before appearing in a third championship decider.
Galway, a team who had received a bye into the final without playing a single game, provided the opposition on this occasion. Once again, he lined out in that year"s All-Ireland final where Galway lined out as well.
Once again, it was the men from the west who lost out as Delea claimed a third All-Ireland title.
Cork lost their provincial crown in 1930, however, the team bounced back in 1931 with Delea winning a fifth. A fifth All-Ireland final appearance later followed with Kilkenny providing the opposition. The final went to two replays, with Delea scoring the eqaulising goal in the second game.
Cork eventually triumphed in the third game with Delea picking up his fourth All-Ireland medal.
The Cork team went into decline following this game and Delea later retired from inter-county hurling. Provincial.
He played hurling with his local club Blackrock and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1922 until 1931.