Ned hailed from Clonriche in County Wexford and like many more from his area was an excellent hurler. While residing in Kildare, he won three senior hurling championship medals with Ardcough and hurled with Dunboyne on moving to the area. Ned spent the last twenty years working as yard manager at Darely's Woodpark Stud in Dunboyne and was recognised as an expert on horses.