Born in Ardcath, County Meath, Hand first arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Meath minor team. He made his senior debut during the 1943 championship. Hand went on to play a key role for Meath for a decade, and won one All-Ireland medal, four Leinster medals and one National Football League medal. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion.
At club level Hand was a one-time championship medallist with Seán McDermott's in Dublin. He also won a championship medal with St Vincent's in Meath.
Hand retired from inter-county football following the conclusion of the 1953 championship.