Jim 'Tough' Barry was an Irish hurlingtrainer. 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.
Early Life
James Barry, son of John and Mary, was born in the Lying-in Hospital in Cork on the 31st July 1893. James’ parents already had three children when he was born; they would go on to have eight children in total, of whom six 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. 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.
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 as assistant trainer in 1926 and with his background in amateur swimming and boxing he 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. He helped guide Cork to All-Ireland success in his first year and more victories followed in 1928 and 1929. 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 final. Barry became the first manager to win four All Ireland titles in a row from 1941 to 1944. He refereed the 1945 Minorfinal. His Cork side returned to win again in 1946 but were beaten in 1947. Barry's Cork returned for another run of multiple All-Ireland's, a three-in-a-row, from 1952-1954. 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 passed away in Cork City in October 1968.
