A talented and creative wingman or half forward flanker, Ken Tierney was in and out of the Port Adelaide team throughout his ten season league career, during which time he played a total of 160 games. The problem was not that he lacked ability - far from it - but that his game was centered on crisp, short, accurate foot passing, in total contrast to the trademark long kicking approach favoured by coach Fos Williams. Had Tierney played at virtually any other SANFL club, he would probably have retired with in excess of 200 senior games to his credit, plus a couple of best and fairest awards, but he chose to remain loyal to Port. He made his league debut in 1954, and at the end of that season was on a wing in the Magpies' stirring 3 point grand final win over West Adelaide. He later also played in the club's 1956, 1958 and 1959 premiership teams. At his best during the late 1950s, he represented South Australia at the 1958 Melbourne carnival, and played a total of 4 interstate games. Late in his career he twice sustained broken legs, but by playing a handful of games in 1963 he managed to qualify for life membership of the league on the grounds of having played more than 150 senior games over ten seasons. Tierney coached amateur league side Rosewater in 1964 before returning to Port as coach of the club's Seconds team in 1965.
