Ciaran Barr
Encyclopedia
Ciaran Barr is a retired Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club O'Donovan Rossa and with the Antrim
senior inter-county team from 1984 until 1994.
during this period. Barr later won several Ulster
titles with the Antrim under-21 team.
Barr made his debut with the Antrim senior hurling team in 1984, however, he enjoyed little success in his first few seasons. In 1989 the Ulster Senior Hurling Championship
was revived after a forty-year absence. That year Barr was the captain of the team and Antrim reached the final where Down
provided the opposition. A 2-16 to 0-9 victory gave Barr his first senior Ulster title. Antrim later defeated Kildare
in the All-Ireland quarter-final before lining out against Offaly
in the penultimate game of the championship in Croke Park
. Offaly were the red hot favourites going into the game, however, Barr's side had other ideas. Antrim shocked their opponents and won the game by 4-15 to 1-15. Offaly, in spite of losing, recognised the historic nature of the victory and gave Antrim a guard of honour as the team left the field. The All-Ireland final saw Antrim take on Tipperray
for the first time since 1949. Antrim, however, were unable to repeat the heroics of the semi-final and lost to Tipp by 4-24 to 3-9.
In 1990 Barr added a second Ulster title to his collection following another defeat of Down. The subsequent All-Ireland semi-final saw Antrim take on Cork, however, victory went to 'the Rebels' on that occasion by 2-20 to 1-13.
Antrim made it three-in-a-row in Ulster in 1991 with Barr collecting his third provincial medal. Westmeath
fell in the subsequent All-Ireland quarter-final, setting up a semi-final meeting with Kilkenny
. With seconds left in the game Barr's side were up by one point, however, a last-gasp goal gave Kilkenny a 2-18 to 1-19 victory.
Antrim lost their provincial crown in 1992, however, Barr collected a fourth Ulster title in 1993. Antrim later defeated Meath
in the All-Ireland quarter-final setting up a semi-final meeting with Kilkenny once again. Antrim, however, were not the force they were and they lost the game by 4-18 to 1-9.
Barr added a fifth Ulster title to his collection in 1994 following a defeat of Down in the sixth successive meeting between these two sides in the final. Unfortunately, Antrim were later trounced by Limerick
in the All-Ireland semi-final. Barr retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards.
in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He played in a number of finals, however, he never won a Railway Cup medal.
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
sportsperson. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club O'Donovan Rossa and with the Antrim
Antrim GAA
The Antrim County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Antrim GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Antrim. The county board is also responsible for the Antrim inter-county teams...
senior inter-county team from 1984 until 1994.
Club
Barr played his club hurling with his local O'Donovan Rossa club in Belfast and enjoyed some success. He won a senior county title with the club in 1988. It was the club's first county championship victory in eleven years. He also played with the St.Vincent's club in Dublin and won a Senior Hurling Championship with them in 1993.Inter-county
Barr first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with Antrim in the early 1980s. He played for the county minor team, however, he enjoyed little success as Antrim played in the Leinster ChampionshipLeinster Minor Hurling Championship
The ESB Leinster Minor Hurling Championship is the Minor "knockout" competition in the game of Hurling played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council...
during this period. Barr later won several Ulster
Ulster Under-21 Hurling Championship
For the Senior equivalent see: Ulster Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe Ulster U-21 Hurling Championship or for sponsorship reasons the Erin Ulster Under-21 Hurling Championship is an Under 21 hurling tournament between counties affiliated to Ulster. The winners of the Ulster championship go on to...
titles with the Antrim under-21 team.
Barr made his debut with the Antrim senior hurling team in 1984, however, he enjoyed little success in his first few seasons. In 1989 the Ulster Senior Hurling Championship
Ulster Senior Hurling Championship
The Ulster Senior Hurling Championship is the premier intercounty "knockout" competition in the game of hurling played in the province of Ulster. The series of games are organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and are played during the summer months. The Ulster Hurling Final is played in July...
was revived after a forty-year absence. That year Barr was the captain of the team and Antrim reached the final where Down
Down GAA
The Down County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Down GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Down...
provided the opposition. A 2-16 to 0-9 victory gave Barr his first senior Ulster title. Antrim later defeated Kildare
Kildare GAA
For more information see Kildare Senior Club Football Championship or Kildare Senior Club Hurling Championship.The Kildare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Kildare GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Kildare...
in the All-Ireland quarter-final before lining out against Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
in the penultimate game of the championship in Croke Park
Croke Park
Croke Park in Dublin is the principal stadium and headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association , Ireland's biggest sporting organisation...
. Offaly were the red hot favourites going into the game, however, Barr's side had other ideas. Antrim shocked their opponents and won the game by 4-15 to 1-15. Offaly, in spite of losing, recognised the historic nature of the victory and gave Antrim a guard of honour as the team left the field. The All-Ireland final saw Antrim take on Tipperray
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
for the first time since 1949. Antrim, however, were unable to repeat the heroics of the semi-final and lost to Tipp by 4-24 to 3-9.
In 1990 Barr added a second Ulster title to his collection following another defeat of Down. The subsequent All-Ireland semi-final saw Antrim take on Cork, however, victory went to 'the Rebels' on that occasion by 2-20 to 1-13.
Antrim made it three-in-a-row in Ulster in 1991 with Barr collecting his third provincial medal. Westmeath
Westmeath GAA
The Westmeath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Westmeath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Westmeath...
fell in the subsequent All-Ireland quarter-final, setting up a semi-final meeting with Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
. With seconds left in the game Barr's side were up by one point, however, a last-gasp goal gave Kilkenny a 2-18 to 1-19 victory.
Antrim lost their provincial crown in 1992, however, Barr collected a fourth Ulster title in 1993. Antrim later defeated Meath
Meath GAA
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Meath, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.- Pre-1960s :...
in the All-Ireland quarter-final setting up a semi-final meeting with Kilkenny once again. Antrim, however, were not the force they were and they lost the game by 4-18 to 1-9.
Barr added a fifth Ulster title to his collection in 1994 following a defeat of Down in the sixth successive meeting between these two sides in the final. Unfortunately, Antrim were later trounced by Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
in the All-Ireland semi-final. Barr retired from inter-county hurling shortly afterwards.
Provincial
Barr also lined out with UlsterUlster GAA
The Ulster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, and handball in the province of Ulster. The headquarters of the Ulster GAA is based in Armagh City....
in the inter-provincial hurling competition. He played in a number of finals, however, he never won a Railway Cup medal.