[1] McGuinness first became involved in team management as a selector with the Patrick Sarsfields that won the 1974 Antrim County Championship.
At inter-county level, McGuinness was first nominated as a selector with the Antrim senior hurling team in 1983, and ended up taking over as manager.
[2] After resigning on a point of principle, McGuinness was back in inter-county management with the Down senior hurling team.
His six seasons in charge saw Down win two Ulster Championship titles and gain promotion to Division 1 of the National Hurling League.
[3] McGuinness simultaneously took charge of the Ulster team that contested three Railway Cup finals in four years.