 Born in Borrisoleigh, County Tipperary, Devaney was born into a strong hurling family.His father, Jim Devaney, was a stalwart of the Borris-Ileigh club and was a member of the Tipperary senior panel that won the All-Ireland title in 1937.Devaney first came to prominence as a hurler at underage levels with the Borris-Ileigh club before making his debut with the club's adult team in 1952.