He represented Great Britain at the 1984 Summer Olympics when they won the bronze medal.

McConnell played club field hockey for Newry Olympic,[1] Belfast YMCA[2] and Holywood 87.

[3] McConnell was a member of the Ireland team that were silver medallists at the 1978 EuroHockey Junior Championship.

[5] He subsequently represented Ireland at the 1990 Men's Hockey World Cup.

[2] McConnell also represented Great Britain in Champions Trophy tournaments, winning a bronze medal in 1984 and a silver in 1985.