Having never played minor hurling for Cork, Lyons was added to the senior panel in 1946. He made his championship debut on 30 June 1946 when he was introduced as a substitute in Cork's 3-9 to 1-6 Munster semi-final defeat of Waterford. Lyons remained amongst the reserves for Cork's subsequent 3-8 to 1-3 Munster final defeat of Limerick. A subsequent defeat of Galway allowed Cork to advance to an All-Ireland final meeting with Kilkenny on 1 September 1946. Lyons remained as an unused substitute throughout the match as Cork powered to a 7-5 to 3-8 victory. In spite of playing no part in the game Lyons was later presented with his first All-Ireland medal.