Four years after his retirement at senior level Carey was back in a Limerick jersey on the county's intermediate team. He was full-back on the Limerick team that faced Tipperary in the provincial final. A 2–16 to 2–12 score line gave Limerick the win and gave Carey a Munster winners' medal at intermediate level. Limerick later faced Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final, however, Carey was left on the losing side once again as 'the Cats' recorded a 1–16 to 0–13 win.