Corkery first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork minor football team in the late 1980s. He was a non-playing substitute in 1988 as Cork were defeated by Kerry in the Munster final. Corkery joined the starting fifteen in 1989, however, Cork suffered the same fate in the provincial decider. That same year Corkery was also a member of the Cork under-21 football team. He missed out on the team's Munster Under-21 Championship final victory, however, he came on as a substitute in the subsequent All-Ireland final. Galway provided the opposition on that occasion and a close game developed. At the full-time whistle Cork were the champions by 2–8 to 1–10 and Corkery picked up an All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship winners' medal.
