[1] Born in Johnstown, County Kilkenny, Purcell first arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Kilkenny minor team, before later joining the under-21 side.
Purcell enjoyed a brief inter-county career, winning one Leinster medal on the field of play.
[2] He also won two All-Ireland medals as a non-playing substitute.
[citation needed] At club level Purcell played with Fenians.
This Kilkenny hurling biographical article is a stub.