 After five years as a first team regular, Barrett claimed his first Munster Championship medal after a 4-03 to 3-04 victory over Limerick in the 1939 Munster final.On 3 September 1939, he lined out as midfield partner to team captain Jack Lynch when Cork suffered a 2-07 to 3-03 defeat by Kilkenny in the "thunder and Lightning" All-Ireland final.Barrett collected his first national silverware when Cork defeated Tipperary by 8-09 to 6-04 to win the 1939-40 National League title.