Career
Cleere made his first appearance for the team during the 1960 championship and became a regular player over the next decade until his retirement after the 1969 championship. Cleere captained the team to the All-Ireland title in 1963. At club level Cleere played with the Bennesttsbridge club, winning six county club championship medals.
Club Cleere played his club hurling with his local Bennettsbridge club
He had much success with the side in the 1960s, winning six Kilkenny SHC titles in all. Inter-county Cleere first came to prominence on the inter-county scene in 1962 when he captured his first National Hurling League medal.
lieutenant was Kilkenny’s first league title since 1933. This victory allowed Kilkenny to advance directly into the All-Ireland final where, for the third successive occasion, their opponents turned out to be Waterford.
In the game itself Eddie Keher scored a record 14 points, 10 of which came from frees, giving the Kilkenny men a comfortable 4–17 to 6-8 victory over the Decies.
Cleere had captured his first All-Ireland medal and had the honour of collecting the Liam McCarthy Cup on behalf of his county. His performances throughout the championship campaign earned him a coveted Cú Chulainn award and the Texaco Hurler of the Year Award. Tipperary later provided the opposition in the All-Ireland final, however, in spite of Kilkenny being the pundits’ favourites the men from Munster completely overpowered Cleers" side on a score line of 5–13 to 2–8.
Kilkenny lost their provincial crown in 1965, however, the team bounced back in 1966 with Cleere collecting a second National League medal and a third Leinster title.
Kilkenny later faced Cork in the All-Ireland final for the first time since 1947 and, once again, the Leinster champions were the red-hot favourites over an unfancied Cork side. The following year Kilkenny continued their provincial dominance with Cleere picking up a fourth Leinster title before lining out in a fourth All-Ireland final at Croke Park.
In spite of this he was still awarded with a third All-Ireland medal and he retired following the conclusion of the championship. Bennettsbridge Kilkenny.
