Jim Barry
Jim 'Tough' Barry (26 July 1893 - 17 October 1968) was an Irish hurling trainer. In a managerial career that lasted for forty years from 1926 until 1966 he guided the Cork senior inter-county team to twelve All-Ireland titles.[1]
Early Life
James Barry, son of John and Mary (née Lynch), was born in the Lying-in Hospital in Cork on the 31st July 1893.[2] James’ parents already had three children when he was born; they would go on to have eight children in total, of whom six (four girls and two boys) would survive the high child mortality of the time. The Barry family lived on Grattan Street in 1893 but later moved to nearby Penrose Square. Following after the profession of his father, James started working as a tailor when he left school.[3][4] James had a love of music, especially Opera and was blessed with an excellent tenor voice. He was also a keen sportsman; he was Irish Springboard champion for four years and earned his nickname 'Tough' as a result of his boxing career during which he fought as a Bantamweight.[5]
Gaelic Games
It is for his success in Gaelic Games that Jim Barry is most remembered. As a young man he hurled with the Blackrock Club. He joined the Cork set-up in 1926 when as assistant trainer to Pakey Mahony. With his background in amateur swimming and boxing Barry is credited with bringing a forward-thinking and holistic approach to preparing players. He often visited workplaces to talk to employers on behalf of his players, demanded proper meals for his squads after matches, and was renowned for his ability to have them perfectly pitched for the biggest games.
Barry helped guide Cork to League and Championship success in his first year. More All Irelands followed in 1928 and 1929, and another league was won in 1930.[1][5]
Barry's Cork team won the All-Ireland again in 1931. In 1934, he was a guest trainer with the Limerick when they won the League and the All-Ireland. His Cork team lost to Kilkenny in the 1939 All Ireland final and won the league in 1940.[5]
Barry became the first manager to win four All Ireland titles in a row from 1941 to 1944 (the first year also saw another league win). He trained the Cork Football team to All-Ireland victory in 1945 and also refereed that year's Minor Hurling final. His Cork side beat Kilkenny in the 1946 All Ireland final but were beaten by the cats the following year. Cork won the League again in 1948.[5]
Barry's Cork returned for another run of multiple All-Ireland's, a three-in-a-row, from 1952-1954 (the middle year also saw another league won). There was then a barren period for 12 years before Cork returned with a shock victory over old rivals Kilkenny in the 1966 final. It was after this final that Barry said, “In Cork, hurlers come up overnight like mushrooms”. Tough Barry suffered a stroke in October 1968 and passed away in the South Infirmary a few days later.[5]
References
- ^ a b "125 Most Influential People In GAA History (51-75)". Sunday Tribune. Retrieved 2009-02-18.[permanent dead link]
- ^ 'James Barry' (1893) Certified copy of birth register for James Barry, 31 July 1893. Doc. number 01858504. Superintendent Registrar's District Cork, Registrar District Cork No. 6.
- ^ 1901 Census of Ireland, Cork County, District Electoral Division (DED) Cork No. 7 Urban, West Ward, Penrose Square, unpaginated, household no. 9, James Barry; digital image, National Archives of Ireland, Census of Ireland 1901/1911 (http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie : accessed 23 July 2020); original manuscript not cited.
- ^ 1911 Census of Ireland, Cork County, District Electoral Division (DED) Cork No. 7, Penrose Square, unpaginated, household no. 2, James Barry; digital image, National Archives of Ireland, Census of Ireland 1901/1911 (http://www.census.nationalarchives.ie : accessed 23 July 2020); original manuscript not cited.
- ^ a b c d e Cork: A History In the All Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Volume One 1887-1949 by T.M. Mhicchonbhui (ISBN: 9781326975593)