Born in Midleton, County Cork, Campbell first played hurling at juvenile and underage levels with St Enda's.
He was captain of the team that secured the East Cork MHC title in 1936 before being beaten by Glen Rovers for the county honours.
Campbell's performances at juvenile level with St Enda's resulted in him being drafted onto the Cork minor hurling team.
He began his three-year association with the team as a non-playing substitute in 1934 before breaking onto the starting fifteen as full-back the following year.
Campbell's third and final season with the team saw him line out in a number of positions, including midfield, centre-back and wing-back.
In spite of this defeat, Campbell was elected to a two-year membership of the selection committee of the Cork senior hurling team in September 1968.
Success was immediate with Cork securing the National Hurling League title after a defeat of Wexford in the 1969 final.
[10] Campbell's Cork side retained their National League and Munster Championship titles in 1970 before ending the season with a 6-21 to 5-10 defeat of Wexford in the 1970 All-Ireland final.
[11] He retained his position as a selector for a third successive season in 1971, however, Cork surrendered their provincial and national titles.