Club Rea began his club hurling career with
Effin before joining Dublin club
Faughs in 1968. It was with the latter club that he enjoyed his greatest success. After losing the 1969 championship decider, Faughs were back in the final again the following year. A defeat of
St. Vincents gave Rea his first
championship medal. Faughs surrendered their title the following year but went on to win back-to-back titles in 1972 and 1973, bringing Rea's championship medal tally to three.
Inter-county Rea's performances at club level brought him to the attentions of the inter-county selectors and he soon joined the Limerick senior team. In 1973, after eighteen years in the doldrums, Limerick finally made the provincial breakthrough. A last-gasp free by
Richie Bennis secured a narrow 6-7 to 2-18 defeat of
Tipperary in the provincial decider and a first
Munster medal for Rea. Limerick later lined out as underdogs in
Croke Park for an All-Ireland showdown with reigning champions and injury-ravaged
Kilkenny. A
Mossie Dowling goal eight minutes after half-time, together with play from Richie Bennis powered Limerick to a 1-21 to 1-14 victory and secured an
All-Ireland medal for Rea. In 1974 Limerick maintained their provincial dominance. Rea captured a second Munster medal following a 6-14 to 3-9 trouncing of
Clare. This victory allowed Rea's side to advance directly to the All-Ireland final where Kilkenny provided the opposition once again. The Cats were back to full strength and set out for revenge. In spite of this Limerick stormed into an early lead, however, this was diminished as
Pat Delaney,
Eddie Keher and
Mick Brennan scored goals. Limerick lost the game by 3-19 to 1-13.
Inter-provincial Rea also had the honour of being selected for
Munster in the inter-provincial series of games but enjoyed little success. ==Personal life==