After being a substitute on the Tipperary senior team for the 1954 championship, Devaney made his senior debut during the 1954-55 league, a campaign which saw Tipperary face Wexford in the final. Wexford's preparation for the game was affected by the death of Bob Rackard, father of the legendary brothers Nicky, Bobby and Billy, who had all withdrawn from the match. Tiperary won the game by 3-5 to 1-5, with Devaney claiming his first league medal. He added a second league medal to his collection in 1957 following a defeat of Kilkenny, however, Devaney was still waiting for championship success.