He claimed his first major silverware with the club in 1930 when Kinsale defeated Tracton by 6-04 to 3-03 to secure the South East Junior Championship.
After surrendering the title to Passage the following year, Barrett won a second divisional championship winners' medal in 1933 after a 5-04 to 1-02 victory over Rochestown.
He made his debut on 8 May 1932 when he lined out at left wing-back in Cork's 8-06 to 1-02 defeat of Waterford and later claimed a Munster Championship medal after being switched to right wing-forward for the 1-04 to 1-02 victory over Clare in the final.
Barrett's performances at junior level brought him to the attention of the senior selectors and he was drafted onto the team during the 1934 Munster Championship.
On 3 September 1939, he lined out as midfield partner to team captain Jack Lynch when Cork suffered a 2-07 to 3-03 defeat by Kilkenny in the "thunder and Lightning" All-Ireland final.
After defeats in 1935 and 1936, Barrett claimed his second winners' medal as a non-playing substitute after a 1-09 to 3-01 victory over Leinster in the 1937 Railway Cup final.
Barrett was retained as a member of the selection committee for the following two seasons, with Cork securing three successive All-Ireland victories after defeats of Galway in 1953 and Wexford in 1954.
GAA president Con Murphy described him as "a tremendously sporting and determined player, full of ability strength and courage.