Hinphey is from Dungiven in County Londondery, Northern Ireland. His father is from hurling stronghold of Kilkenny in the Republic of Ireland, playing for James Stephens club, one of the most successful hurling clubs of all time and had a big influence on his hurling career. Liam Óg's brother Kevin also plays hurling for Derry. He is a cousin of two-time Derry All StarJoe Brolly.
Football career
Inter-county
Hinphey was first called up to the Derry Senior football panel in November 2005 for the 2006 season. He was part of the Derry team that won the 2008 National League where Derry beat Kerry in the final. Hinphey missed the first round of the 2008 Ulster Senior Football Championship against Donegal with a pelvic injury, and was expected to be sidelined for the rest of the season. However, early detection and appropriate treatment saw him make a quicker than expected recovery and made his club return in the Derry Championship against Bellaghy on 1 July. He has opted out of the 2009 panel, as he will be traveling around Australia for six months from March 2009 to September 2009.
Hinphey plays his club football for St. Canice's Dungiven and won the Derry ACFL Division 2 in 2007. He returned from Australia in late July in time for the latter stages of the 2009 Derry Championship.
School / college
A relative late-comer to football, Hinphey won the MacRory and Hogan Cups in 2003 with St. Pat's Maghera.
Hurling
Inter-county
Hinphey won the Ulster Minor Hurling Championship with Derry minors in 2001. He made his Senior Derry debut when 18 years old against Kerry in 2003. Hinphey has represented Derry, Ulster and even captained Ireland at Under 21 level in hurling. He was part of Derry's 2006 Nicky Rackard Cup winning side. He opted out of the Derry hurling side for the 2008 season to concentrate on football. He returned to the hurling panel in 2009, but was only available for the first two rounds of the National Hurling League, as he decided to travel Australia from March. Having arrived in Sydney he signed for the Sydney Shamrocks Hurling club and played brilliantly at centre back as they won the first NSW competition of the year, the Central Coast tournament. While travelling in Australia he played for ?.
Club
Hinphey had a highly successful underage career with Kevin Lynchs, for example winning the Ulster Minor Club Hurling Championship with the club in 2002. This success has continued at Senior level. Hinphey has won five Derry hurling Championships with the club. He returned from Australia in late July in time for the latter stages of the 2009 Derry Championship.
School / college
Hinphey won the Mageenan Cup on 1/2? occasions with St. Pat's.
Province
Hinphey has represented Ulster in the Railway Cup and was captain of the province in 2009.
