He played hurling with his local club Carrigtwohill and with the Cork senior inter-county team in the 1920s and 1930s.
He made his debut in 1928 as Cork faced Clare in the Munster final for the second year in-a-row.
That game ended in a draw, however, in the replay Cork triumphed with Barry collecting his first Munster title.
Cork later defeated Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final before lining out against Galway in the championship decider.
The subsequent All-Ireland final was a replay of the previous year's game as Cork played Galway once again.
In 1930 Barry added a National Hurling League title to his collection; however, Cork surrendered their provincial crown later that summer.
It was also suggested at a meeting of the GAA’s Central Council that both counties be declared joint champions and that half an All-Ireland medal by given to each player.