Born in Ballyphehane, Cork, Archer first played competitive football in his youth. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Cork minor team, before later joining the under-21 side.[3] He joined the senior panel during the 1965 championship and enjoyed a brief one-year inter-county career.[citation needed]
At club level Archer was a three-time Munster medallist with the St Finbarr's senior hurlers. In addition to this he also won three championship medals.
