Club

Barry-Murphy began his hurling career as a member of his local Cloughduv team. Cloughduv and the Bride Valley Club merged in 1928 to form the Éire Óg club. That year Barry-Murphy won his sole senior county championship winners' medal.^{[citation needed]}

Inter-county

Barry-Murphy first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Cork junior hurling team in 1916. That year he captured a Munster title following a 6-0 t 4–1 defeat of Tipperary.^[1] The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Kilkenny. An exciting game developed, however, the long whistle Cork were the champions by 4–6 to 3–4, giving Barry-Murphy an All-Ireland junior winners' medal.^{[citation needed]}

Barry-Murphy later joined the Cork senior team. In 1919 he won his first Munster winners' medal following a provincial final defeat of Limerick.^[2] The All-Ireland final saw Cork line out against Dublin. 'The Rebels' were coasting at half-time with Jimmy Kennedy havings scored four goals. He had two more disallowed to give his side a 4–2 to 1–1 lead. Cork ploughed on in the second half to secure a 6–4 to 2–4 victory.^[3] This victory gave Barry-Murphy an All-Ireland winners' medal. This was also the first occasion that Cork wore their distinctive red jerseys. The old saffron and blue jerseys had been seized by the British before the game so alternative arrangements had to be made.^{[citation needed]}

In 1920 Barry-Murphy won a second and final Munster title following another victory over Limerick. A second All-Ireland final appearance beckoned, however, Barry-Murphy played no part. Cork failed to retain their title as a goal blitz by Joe Phelan, Jimmy Walsh and Mick Neville gave Dublin a 4–9 to 4–3 victory.^[4]