Jack Barrett (hurler)

Jack Barrett (1910–1979) was an Irish hurler who played as a midfielder for the Cork senior team.

Barrett made his first appearance for the team during the 1934 championship and was a regular member of the starting fifteen until his retirement after the 1941 championship. During that time he won one All-Ireland medal, one Munster medal and two National League medals. Barrett was an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion.

At club level Barrett enjoyed a lengthy career with Kinsale.

In retirement from playing Barrett was a long-serving Gaelic games administrator with the Cork County Board.

Playing career

Club

Barrett played his club hurling with Kinsale and enjoyed some success.

In 1933 he won a divisional junior championship medal following a 5-4 to 1-2 defeat of Rochestown.^[1]

Inter-county

Barrett joined the Cork senior hurling team in 1934 and made his debut in the championship that year.

In 1939 Cork made a breakthrough in the provincial championship after nearly a decade in the doldrums. A narrow 4-3 to 3-4 defeat of Limerick gave Cork the title and gave Barrett his only Munster medal. The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Kilkenny. In one of the most iconic championship deciders of all-time, played on the day that World War II broke out, the climax of which was played in a ferocious thunder storm. While a draw looked likely as the hour drew to a close Paddy Phelan sent a seventy-yard free in towards the Cork goalmouth. The sliotar was gobbled up by the defence and cleared, but only as far as Jimmy Kelly who sent it straight over the bar for a one-point lead. Immediately after the puck-out the referee blew the whistle and Cork were defeated on a score line of 2-7 to 3-3.^[2]

Although defeated in the All-Ireland decider, Cork continued their breakthrough in 1940. An 8-9 to 6-4 defeat of Tipperary in the decider gave Barrett his first National Hurling League medal. He added a second winners' medal to his collection in 1941 following a defeat of Dublin.

An outbreak of foot and mouth disease severely hampered the 1941 championship. As a result of this Cork were nominated to represent the province in the All-Ireland series. Barrett lined out in the final against Dublin, however, it turned into a one-sided affair thanks to contributing goals from Johnny Quirke and Ted O'Sullivan. At the full-time whistle Cork had won by 5-11 to 0-6. It was one of the most one-sided championship deciders of all-time, however, it did give Barrett a coveted All-Ireland medal. He retired from inter-county hurling following this victory.

Inter-provincial

Barrett also had the honour of being selected for Munster in the inter-provincial series of games. He made his debut with the province in 1934 and was a regular until his retirement in 1940.^[3]

In 1934 Barrett lined out in his first inter-provincial decider. A 6-3 to 3-2 defeat of fierce rivals Leinster gave hims his first Railway Cup medal.

Munster faced back-to-back defeats over the next two years, however, the province went on to dominate the rest of the decade. Four successive final defeats of Leinster between 1937 and 1940 gave Barrett a further four Railway Cup medals.

Post-playing career

In retirement from playing Barrett became involved in the administrative affairs of the Gaelic Athletic Association. In 1954 he became vice-chairman of the Cork County Board. He served in that capacity for five years until 1959. That year Barrett was elected chairman of the GAA. He served in that post until 1962. Four years later Barrett was back as chairman of the Cork County Board. He served in that capacity until 1971, however, he returned for a second stint from 1973 until 1974.^[4]

Honours

Team

Cork

• All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship (1): 1941
• Munster Senior Hurling Championship (1): 1939
• National Hurling League (2): 1939-40, 1940-41

Munster

• Railway Cup (5): 1934, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1940

References