Career
Born in Rathcormac, County Cork, Barry first excelled at hurling during his schooling at Street Finbarr"s College, Farranferris. He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Cork minor team before later joining the under-21 and intermediate sides. He made his senior debut during the 1966 championship.
At club level he played with Bride Rovers, Sarsfield"s and University College Cork.
Throughout his career Barry made 12 championship appearances. His retirement came prior to the start of the 1971 championship.
In retirement from playing Barry became involved in team management and coaching. He served as coach at various levels with Bride Rovers.
Minor & under-21
He was sub goalie on the team that year, however, Cork exited the championship after the provincial decider.
Barry was at wing-forward the following year, however, Cork"s championship campaign also ended prematurely. In 1965 Barry joined the Cork intermediate team On 20 September 1965 Cork faced London in the All-Ireland decider.
A 2-20 to 5-5 victory gave Cork the title and gave Barry an All-Ireland medal.
He bagged 1-1 in that year"s provincial decider and collected a Munster medal as Cork trounced Limerick by 5-12 to 2-6. On 2 October 1966 Cork faced Wexford in the All-Ireland decider at Nowlan Park, however, a 3-12 to 5-6 draw was the result.
The replay took place two weeks later, however, the sides couldn"t be separated once again after a 4-9 apiece draw. At the third time of asking Cork finally triumphed, with Barry winning an All-Ireland medal following a huge 9-9 to 5-9 victory.
Senior
McCarthy made his senior championship debut for Cork on 19 June 1966 in a 3-8 apiece Munster quarter-final draw with Clare.
The subsequent All-Ireland final on 4 September 1966 pitted Kilkenny against Cork for the first time in nineteen years. Kilkenny were the favourites, however, a hat-trick of goals from Colm Sheehan gave Cork a merited 3-9 to 1-10 victory over an Eddie Keher-inspired Kilkenny. Not only was it a first championship for Cork in twelve years, but the victory also gave Barry a coveted All-Ireland medal.
Barry was a regular starter for Cork over the next two years, however, even in the midst of an injury crisis in 1969 he was dropped from the panel.
In 1970 Barry was recalled to the panel. Cork subsequently faced Wexford in the All-Ireland decider on 6 September 1970, however, Barry remained on the bench for that record-breaking game.
A remarkable 6-21 to 5-10 victory gave him a second ALl-Ireland medal, albeit as a non-playing substitute. Barry last played for Cork in a tournament game against Limerick in 1971.
