Lotty first played for Cork when he was drafted onto the minor football team during the 1937 Munster Minor Championship. He became a dual player the following year when he also joined the Cork minor hurling team. After making a winning hurling debut against Limerick on 22 May 1938, he later collected a Munster Championship medal after a 9-03 to no score victory over Kerry in the final. On 4 September 1938, Lotty was again at full-back when Cork qualified for the All-Ireland final against Dublin. He ended what was his last game in the minor grade with a winners' medal after the 7-02 to 5-04 victory.