Barry Harte on Harty Cup memories, winning with Argideen Rangers and Carbery and hurling in West Cork
Argideen Rangers coach Barry Harte discussing tactics. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
West Cork has been known for producing quality footballers over many years but in the hurling scene, Argideen Rangers' Barry Harte was a serious talent during the 1980s and '90s.
Harte has continued to coach at his beloved club as he reflected on his introduction to the sport.
“I started in Timoleague but having went to Farranferris I would have learned my trade up there and when you are playing every day in a boarding school you do tend to improve,” Harte said.
The quality of coaches at Farranferris helped the students big time.
“You had Fr John Collins, Seanie O’Riordan and Canon Michael O’Brien all men with a great knowledge of the game,” Barry added.
Harte has an impeccable record in Harty Cup history as he played from the age of 14 for four years which he believes was a great foundation for him in his playing career.
“We got to three semi-finals before eventually coming good in 1984 and all of 40 years ago I will never forget that day."
This year the members of that team celebrated the success with a reunion at Flannery’s Bar with some travelling wide and far for a chance to catch up with their former teammates.
“Look Farranferris was a very small school with only 350 students and we all basically knew one another very well and we were all great friends.”
In the year Farranferris won the Harty Cup and All-Ireland titles the college also had a talented football side losing out to Críost Rí in the Corn Uí Mhuirí quarter-final after a replay.
"We had some quality players in the hurling squad like our goalkeeper Tom Kingston, Mark Foley and DJ Kiely who sadly lost his fight for life at the age of 52 in 2018."
Playing with Argideen Rangers has always brought special pride to Harte as he experienced winning at various levels during his career with the club.
In 1985 Barry represented Cork in two All-Ireland minor finals helping them win the hurling against Wexford 3-10 to 0-12 but losing out to Tyrone 3-3 to 0-9 in the football decider.
Hurling in west Cork is not as strong as Harte would like it to be but he believes it’s not going to change anytime soon.
“There is a pocket there, between Bandon and Kilbrittain and Newcestown, but it does not extend that far west and not beyond Clonakilty.”
One of the biggest thrills that Harte experienced was helping Carbery win the 1994 senior hurling final when defeating raging favourites Midleton, a first title for the division.
“I happened to be captain and it was an incredible team performance with about six clubs represented but we played out of our skins and enjoyed our day in the sun."
The love of hurling in this city and county is incredible as Barry prior to this interview had a typical Saturday morning at the office.
“I brought my grandson to training and then it was minor training and as we are joined up with Barryroe playing under the Ibane Gaels banner and I have been doing this for the last couple of years giving something back to the sport that gave me so much pleasure.”
In the words of Harte, he is a sports nut. Hurling will always be top of the tree though.
Having experienced and played at a good level of hurling what does Barry feel about the present crop of hurlers?
“The guys today are amazing as the speed in incredible but in reality, in all sports the evolution is noticeable as the science that goes into the strength and conditioning is mind-boggling and they are professionals in all but name.
“What the good teams in hurling and football teams are doing in this country seems to drop down even to junior teams and it’s all about having a team in prime condition now for championship games.
“The speed of the Cork senior hurling games this season have been mind-boggling and although the critics might say there's no overhead striking some of the scores we are now witnessing are off the charts.
“On the other side of the coin football is a difficult watch and although I coach in our club it is the defensive structures that have turned people off in this country.”
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