[1] In 1948, at 19 years of age Kirrane became the youngest member of the United States Olympic ice hockey team.

[5][6] He lost out on a chance at an NHL career when he was drafted into the United States Army to serve in the Korean War.

[1] He also needed to sell his pickup truck in order to afford a plane ticket, as at the time players who tried out for the national teams paid their own way.

[1][6] The 1960 team was hastily put together and a few days before the tournament was set to begin head coach Jack Riley planned to add brothers Bill and Bob Cleary.

They rallied with six third period goals to win the game 9–4, earning the United States its first Olympic gold medal in ice hockey.

[6][9] After the medal presentation Kirrane received a congratulatory telegram from fellow Brookline native John F. Kennedy, then a US Senator.

When he returned home Kirrane was taken from the airport on top of a firetruck, and a banquet was held in his honor at the Brookline High gym.

The United States three points tied them with three other nations, but due to their goal differential, Team USA officially finished last.

[11] Kirrane worked 38 years as a firefighter for the Brookline fire department, finishing his career as a Lieutenant on Ladder Co.