McNally was a prop-forward who was also a prolific goal kicker, winning the leading point-scorer trophy three times in the Brisbane 'A' grade competition.
McNally represented Queensland, captained by Wally Lewis on their 1983 tour of England, where he was top point scorer.
In 1998 he moved to Darwin to take up Head Coach of the Rugby League program at the Northern Territory Institute of Sport.
Season 2005 started just as brightly for the Wakefield Trinity Wildcats, winning away at Bradford Bulls and home to WiganWarriors, to lead the Super League table for the first time in their history after 2 rounds.
The sale of captain Gareth Ellis, coupled with injuries to key players Sid Domic and David Solomona disrupted Wakefield however and after a series of losses, McNally was sacked in June.
McNally returned to his native Australia in August 2005, where he took a position of Development Manager with the Wynnum Manly Seagulls in the Queensland Cup.