His league and championship career with the Tipperary senior team lasted ten seasons from 1981 to 1991.
O'Connell made his debut on the inter-county scene when he was selected for the Tipperary minor team as a dual player.
O'Connell subsequently joined the under-21 hurling team, winning back-to-back All-Ireland medals in 1980 and 1981.
Over the course of the following ten seasons he enjoyed much success, culminating with the winning of All-Ireland medals in 1989 and 1991.
After being chosen on the Munster inter-provincial team for the first time in 1985, O'Connell was an automatic choice on the starting fifteen for the following four years.