Carey made his senior championship debut for Limerick in 1989 at a time when the county team was in the doldrums. His first few seasons on the team ended with an early exit from the provincial championship, however, in 1992 Limerick's fortunes began to change. That year Carey's side qualified for the final of the National Hurling League and a stern test awaited. Reigning All-Ireland champions Tipperary provided the opposition and took an eight-point lead at half-time. Limerick battled back to claim a narrow 0–0–14 to 0–13 victory and gave Carey his first National League winners' medal. The new league champions built on this momentum and subsequently qualified for a Munster final showdown with Cork. A high-scoring game developed, however, at the long whistle Cork were the champions by 1–22 to 3–11. In spite of this disappointment Carey was subsequently presented with his first All-Star award.