[1] Raised in the townland of Baggotstown West, in the parish of Knockainey, County Limerick, Barry first played competitive hurling and football with St. Colman's College, Fermoy.
His prowess earned him the captaincy of the Munster team that won the 1914 All-Ireland College Hurling Final.
That same year he was a member of the Munster team that reached in the All-Ireland College Football Final.
His return to Limerick saw Barry switch codes to hurling and joined the Boher team, while he also lined out with the Young Irelands and Fedamore clubs.
In 1916 Barry was selected for the Limerick junior football team, however, injury prevented him from lining out.