Paddy Barry (St. Vincent's hurler)

Patrick "Paddy" Barry (born 27 August 1941) is an Irish retired hurler who played as a goalkeeper for the Cork senior team.

Born in The Lough area of Cork, Barry first excelled at hurling in his youth. 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 junior side. He made his senior debut during the 1963 championship. Barry immediately became a regular member of the starting fifteen and won two All-Ireland medals, four Munster medals and four National Hurling League medals. The All-Ireland-winning captain of 1970, he was an All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions.

Barry was a member of the Munster inter-provincial team on a number of occasions, however, he never won a Railway Cup medal. At club level he is a one-time championship medallist in the intermediate grade with St. Vincent's.

Throughout his career Barry made 31 championship appearances. His retirement came following the conclusion of the 1974 championship.

In retirement from playing Barry became involved in team management and coaching. He was a selector with Cork's All-Ireland-winning under-21 team in 1988.

Plying career

Club

Barry first came to prominence with St. Vincent's as a member of the club's minor team as a fifteen-year-old in 1957. He won his first championship medal that year.

Barry played in the half-forward line until 1959, however, that year he was persuaded to try out as the goalkeeper on the team. It was an inspired move as Barry turned out to be an excellent shot-stopper.

A decade later Barry enjoyed the highlight of his club hurling career. A narrow 2–11 to 1–12 defeat of Youghal gave him a coveted championship medal in the intermediate grade.

Minor and junior

Barry first played for Cork as a member of the minor hurling team on 17 May 1959 in a 6–4 to 1–2 Munster semi-final defeat of Waterford.

The following year Barry progressed onto the Cork junior team. He won a Munster medal in that grade following a 4–5 to 3–4 defeat of Kerry. On 11 September 1960 Cork Barry was in goal as Cork faced Carlow in the All-Ireland decider. A 2–15 to 3–5 defeat was Cork's lot on that occasion.

Senior

Beginnings

Barry succeeded Mick Cashman as Cork's first-choice goalkeeper and made his senior championship debut on 26 May 1963 in a 4–15 to 2–11 Munster quarter-final defeat of Clare.

In 1966 Cork made a breakthrough in the championship after a decade in the doldrums and reached the provincial decider. A 4–9 to 2–9 defeat of Waterford in the provincial decider gave him Barry first Munster medal. 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.^[1] Not only was it a first championship for Cork in twelve years, but it was Barry's first All-Ireland medal. His performances throughout the year also earned him a coveted Cú Chulainn award.

Continued success

After surrendering their titles the following year, Cork had to wait until 1969 for further success. A 3–12 to 1–14 defeat of Wexford in the decider gave Barry his first National Hurling League medal. The subsequent provincial decider pitted Cork against reigning champions Tipperary. A 4–6 to 0–9 victory gave Cork a first defeat of Tipperary since 1957 while it also gave Barry a second Munster medal. Once again this victory paved the way for an All-Ireland showdown with Kilkenny on 7 September 1969, however, the team suffered a setback in the week leading up to the game when midfielder Justin McCarthy broke his leg in a motorcycle accident.^[2][3] The Leesiders got into their stride following an early goal by Charlie McCarthy and led by six points coming up to half time when Kilkenny raised a green flag themselves. In spite of this Cork led at the interval and looked a good bet for the victory, particularly after Kilkenny forward Pat Delaney left the field on a stretcher. The Rebels were still to the good coming into the last quarter, however, Kilkenny scored five unanswered points in the last seven minutes to win by 2–15 to 2–9.^[4]

In spite of the All-Ireland defeat, Cork regrouped during the 1969–70 National League with Barry as captain of the side. It was a successful campaign for the Rebels as an aggregate 5–21 to 6–16 defeat of New York gave Barry his second league medal. The subsequent championship campaign saw Barry win his third Munster medal as Tipperary were accounted for by 3–10 to 3–8. Cork subsequently faced Wexford in the All-Ireland decider on 6 September 1970. A record 64-point scoreline and eleven goals were produced in a sometimes ill-tempered and disappointing contest. The day belonged to Eddie O'Brien who scored a hat-trick of goals for Cork from his hand as Cork secured a remarkable 6–21 to 5–10 victory.^[5][6] It was Barry's second All-Ireland medal, while he also had the honour of lifting the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

In 1972 Barry enjoyed further success when he won a third league medal following a 3–14 to 2–14 defeat of Limerick. He later added a fourth Munster medal to his collection following a 6–18 to 2–8 thrashing of Clare.^[7] Old rivals Kilkenny provided the opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland final on 3 September 1972, a game which is often considered to be one of the classic games of the modern era. Halfway through the second-half Cork were on form and stretched their lead to eight points. Kilkenny's great scoring threat Eddie Keher was deployed closer to goal and finished the game with 2–9. A fifteen point swing resulted in Kilkenny winning the game by 3–24 to 5–11.^[8][9]

Decline

Championship success eluded Cork over the next few years, however, Barry won a fourth league medal in 1974 following a 6–15 to 1–12 defeat of Limerick. The subsequent Munster quarter-final meeting with Waterford turned out to be a controversial game for Cork. Just before half-time, with Cork struggling, Martin Geary of Waterford pulled a ball to the Cork net. Barry broke his stick in the exchanges and as the umpire, Jim Kirby of Limerick, stepped up to wave the green flag, Barry flung away the heavy end of his goalie hurley in disgust and caught the umpire high on the thigh. He duly received a red card and was sent off the field. It was Barry's last appearance for Cork.^[10]

Inter-provincial

Barry also had the honour of being selected for Munster in the inter-provincial series of games.^[11]

Post-playing career

In retirement from play Barry maintained a keen interest in the game. He served as a selector with the Cork under-21 hurling team in 1988. It was a successful year as Cork captured both the Munster and All-Ireland titles in that grade.

Biography

Paddy Barry was born in the Bandon Road area of Cork in 1941. At a young age the family moved to Blarney Street on the nothside of the city. He was educated locally and later spent over thirty years working as a laboratory technician at University College Cork.

Honours

Team

St. Vincent's

• Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship (4): 1968
• Cork Minor Club Hurling Championship (1): 1957

Cork

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (2): 1966, 1970 (c)
• Munster Senior Hurling Championship (4): 1966, 1969, 1970 (c), 1972
• National Hurling League (4): 1968–69, 1969–70, 1971–72, 1973–74
• Munster Junior Hurling Championship (1): 1960

References