He played hurling with his local club Blackrock and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1891 until 1893.
Over the course of twelve championship seasons Blackrock qualified for nine county finals, with victory coming on eight occasions.
Scannell was a key member of the team for all of these successes, beginning in 1887 when he captured his first county senior championship title.
[citation needed] Scannell was on the team again in 1892 and he lined out in his first provincial decider with Kerry providing the opposition.
The game was a controversial one as referee Dan Fraher changed his mind after initially awarding a goal to Cork.