Minor success in both codes in the same year after lining out at midfield for Cork Minor hurlers, defeating Wexford 2-15 to 5-3 to win the All-Ireland final. Barrett later moved onto the Cork under-21 team where he enjoyed some further success. He won a Munster title in this grade in 1970, before later lining out in the All-Ireland final. A convincing 2-11 to 0-9 defeat of Fermanagh gave Barrett an All-Ireland winners' medal in the under-21 grade. By the late 1960s Barrett had joined the Cork senior team, however, they had to play second fiddle to Kerry. In 1971 Cork were back. A 0-25 to 0-14 trouncing of back-to-back All-Ireland champions Kerry gave Barrett a Munster winners' medal. Cork, however, were later defeated by eventual champions Offaly in the All-Ireland semi-final. Two years later Barrett secured his second Munster winners' medal. The 5-12 to 1-15 defeat of arch-rivals Kerry showed the traditional football powers that Cork were coming. The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Galway. Teenager Jimmy Barry-Murphy scored the first of his two goals after just two minutes before scored a third for Cork after switching to left wing-forward. At full-time Cork were the champions by 3-17 to 2-13. This victory gave Barrett an All-Ireland winners' medal. Cork continued their provincial dominance in 1974. A 1-11 to 0-7 defeat of Kerry gave Barrett a third Munster winners' medal. This victory resulted in Cork being installed as the favourites to retain their All-Ireland title. An air of overconfidence crept into the side as Barrett's side were defeated by eventual champions Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final. Inter-provincial Barrett also lined out with Munster in the inter-provincial football competition. He first played with his province in 1970, however, success was slow in coming. Barrett was dropped from the team completely in 1971, however, he was back in 1972. That year Munster defeated Leinster in a replay, giving him a Railway Cup winners' medal. Three years later in 1975 Barrett captured a second Railway Cup title following a high-scoring victory over Ulster. Honours Nemo Rangers All-Ireland Senior Club Football Championship: Winner (2): 1973, 1979 Runner-up (1): 1975 Munster Senior Club Football Championship: Winner (4): 1972, 1974, 1975, 1978 Runner-up (1): 1977 Cork Senior Football Championship: Winner (5): 1972, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978 Runner-up (1): 1970 Cork All-Ireland Senior Football Championship: Winner (1): 1973 Munster Senior Football Championship: Winner (3): 1971, 1973,