Career
He represented both Great Britain and Ireland as a water polo player at the 1920 and 1924 Summer Olympics respectively. He also played rugby union for Belvedere College, Clongowes Wood College and Ireland. He is possibly the first athlete to have represented two different nations at the Olympics
Then in 1924 he captained Ireland on a team which also included fellow Dubliners M.A O"Connor, J.A O"Connor and North. Judd.
In the 1921 Five Nations Championship, Purcell played in all four games for Ireland.
He made his debut against England on 12 February. He then played against Scotland on 26 February and Wales on 12 March.
He made his final appearance for Ireland against France on 9 April.