At inter-county level, Deane was part of the successful Cork minor team that won the All-Ireland Championship in 1995 before later winning back-to-back All-Ireland Championships with the under-21 team in 1997 and 1998. He joined the Cork senior team in 1995. From his debut, Deane was ever-present as an inside forward and made a combined total of 117 National League and Championship appearances in a career that ended with his last game in 2008. During that time he was part of three All-Ireland Championship-winning teams – in 1999, 2004 and 2005. Deane also secured five Munster Championship medals and a National Hurling League medal. He announced his retirement from inter-county hurling on 20 April 2009.