THE death took place on Friday of Mr Jimmy Barry. A native of Upper Rock Street, Jimmy had a life-long association with the Austin Stacks Hurling and Football Club.
Together with his four brothers, David, Paddy, Mundy and Kevin, Jimmy played hurling and football for the black and amber with distinction in his youth, but it was as an administrator that he is perhaps best known.
Jimmy Barry was elected Club Chairman in 1977, and remained at the helm for nine successful years.
He led the Club through one of the most successful periods in it’s history, which culminated in that never-to-be-forgotten All-Ireland Club SFC win in 1977 over Derry champions Ballerin.
Jimmy also played a key role in ensuring Frank King’s election as County Board Chairman in 1979, and helped mastermind County Senior Football Championship successes in 1979 and 1986. His future son-in-law Jerry Fitzmaurice was a member of that 1986 winning Austin Stacks team. Another interesting facet of that 1986 win was that Jimmy served as a selector with his son Paddy.
During Jimmy’s tenure, the Club also contested County Finals in 1980 and ’81, only to lose to Feale Rangers and South Kerry respectively.
Jimmy was a great believer in the phrase ‘Mol an Oige agus Tiocfaidh siad’. He had a keen interest in Youth affairs from his time as a Scout Master with the Boy Scouts in Tralee.
Jimmy always believed that players and spectators should have state-of-the-art facilities and he was one of those responsible for the building of our first dressing rooms in Connolly Park.
These were the envy of many GAA clubs in the County, and also included a referee’s room and a meeting room.
One of the major projects that Jimmy will be forever be associated with, though, was the building of the clubhouse bar and function room. For a number of years after its completion, Jimmy took on the onerous task of Bar manager on a voluntary role and always made sure that the Bar was well-stocked and run.
At the time of his death, Jimmy Barry was a Vice President of the Club. He was also honoured at the recent Club Social for his lifetime of service, commitment and loyalty to the Club and was inducted into the Club’s Hall of Fame.
Jimmy Barry was also recognised as one of Kerry’s leading sports administrators. As well as his Gaelic Games commitments, Jimmy also had a keen interest in Horse Racing.
He was a life-long follower of the Sport of Kings, and was for many years, a Director of Ballybeggan Park Race Company. Jimmy was, for many years, a senior National Hunt steward, and officiated at many of Ireland’s top Horse Racing meetings. He also served as Chairman of Ballybeggan Park for a number of years, a post his son Paddy holds today.
Despite his many commitments, Jimmy had a keen and healthy interest in Golf. He was a member of Tralee Golf Club for many years, and a former Club Captain. Motor Rallying was another of Jimmy’s sporting interests, and he was for many years, a member of the County Kerry Motor Club.
To Jimmy’s wife Joan, sons Paddy and David, who are both active Club members, daughters Joan and Mary, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, brother, sisters, nephews and nieces, we extend our deepest sympathies at this time.