A Cork native, McGann is a product of Presentation Brothers College, which he captained to a Munster Schools Senior Cup title, while also showing promise as a soccer player.
[1] On the soccer field, McGann represented Ireland at the 1965 UEFA European Under-18 Championship, where his team had a win over a Dutch side featuring Johann Cruyff, then in 1966 helped Glasheen win the FAI Youth Cup.
[2] McGann was a fly-half in rugby, playing at club level for Cork Constitution and Lansdowne.
Capped 25 times for Ireland, McGann is perhaps best remembered for his conversion attempt against the All Blacks at Lansdowne Road in 1973, with scores level in the dying moments.
Ireland had never beaten the All Blacks and McGann's kick, from near the touchline, missed by mere inches.