[1] He first made state selection for South Australia in the 2017 men's youth eight which contested the Noel Wilkinson Trophy at the Interstate Regatta within the Australian Rowing Championships.

[3] In March 2022 McGuinness was selected in the Australian senior training team to prepare for the 2022 international season and the 2022 World Rowing Championships.

[5] In March 2023 McGuinness was again selected as a sculler in the Australian men's lightweight squad for the 2023 international season.

[6] At the Rowing World Cup II in Varese, Italy McGuinness raced as Australia's MLW2X entrant with Sean Murphy.They made the B final and finished in overall seventh place.

[5] Murphy and McGuinness were selected to race Australia's double scull at 2023 World Rowing Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.