 Barry first played for Cork as a 16-year-old when he was drafted onto the minor team for the 1958 Munster Minor Championship, but was an unused substitute for the unsuccessful campaign.He broke onto the starting fifteen as first-choice goalkeeper the following year, however, he ended his minor career without any silverware.Barry progressed onto the Cork junior team in advance of the 1960 Munster Junior Championship and claimed a winners' medal after Cork's 4-05 to 3-04 victory over Kerry in the provincial decider.