Barry first came to prominence as a hurler with Thurles CBS. He played in every grade before eventually joining the college's senior team. On 8 March 2008, he lined out at centre-back when Thurles CBS suffered a 1-11 to 0-07 defeat by De La Salle College from Waterford in the Harty Cup final. Barry was again at centre-back when Thurles CBS and De La Salle renewed their rivalry in the All-Ireland final. The game ended in a 1-15 to 2-12 draw. The replay a week later saw Barry end up on the losing side following a 2-09 to 2-08 victory for De La Salle College.
