Jo Jo Barrett

Jo Jo Barrett
Personal information
Irish name Seosamh Bairéid
Sport Gaelic football
Position Full-forward
Born Michael Joseph Barrett
1943
Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland
Died 17 July 2021 (aged 77)
Ardfert, County Kerry, Ireland
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Nickname Jo Jo
Occupation Journalist
Club(s)
Years Club
1959–1975
 Austin Stacks
Club titles
Kerry titles 2
Inter-county(ies)
Years County Apps (scores)
1961–1966
 Kerry 8 (1–03)
Inter-county titles
Munster titles 2
All-Irelands 1
NFL 1
All Stars 0

Michael Joseph M. Barrett (1943 – 17 July 2021), also known as Jo Jo Barrett, was an Irish Gaelic footballer and manager. He played for the Austin Stacks club and at senior level for the Kerry county team, before later serving as a club manager and, briefly, as manager of the Wexford county team.

Playing career

Born in Tralee, County Kerry, Barrett first came to Gaelic football prominence as a schoolboy with Tralee CBS. He first appeared on the inter-county scene during a two-year tenure with the Kerry minor team before winning an All-Ireland Under-21 Championship title in 1964.[1] Barrett was just out of the minor grade when he made his senior debut during the 1961 Grounds' Tournament semi-final against Offaly. He was just 19-years-old when he came on as a substitute in Kerry's 1962 All-Ireland final defeat of Roscommon. Barrett subsequently won a National League title and was part of four Munster Championship-winning teams. He experienced club success in the twilight of his career, winning County Championship titles with Austin Stacks.

Management career

After retiring from club football, Barrett immediately took over the management of the Austin Stacks club and guided the team to the 1977 All-Ireland Club Championship title.[2] He later steered Clara to a first Offaly County Championship title in 27 years. Barrett's tenure as manager of the Wexford senior football team ended in controversial circumstances when he received a two-year suspension by the GAA's Games Administration Committee for striking referee Mick Curley at the conclusion of their National League match against Cavan.[3][4]

Personal life and death

Barrett was the son of six-time All-Ireland-winner Joe Barrett. After a spell in the United States working as a barman, labourer and house painter, he returned in 1989 to work as a journalist in Dublin. Barrett died at his home in Barrow, Ardfert, County Kerry on 17 July 2021.

As of 1999, Barrett was working as a Gaelic Games reporter for the Evening Herald newspaper.[5]

Career statistics

Team Season National League Munster All-Ireland Total
Division Apps Score Apps Score Apps Score Apps Score
Kerry 1961–62 Division 1 0 0–00 0 0–00 1 0–00 1 0–00
1962–63 7 0–01 2 0–00 0 0–00 8 0–01
1963–64 2 0–00 0 0–00 1 0–00 3 0–00
1964–65 5 3–05 2 1–02 2 0–01 9 4–08
1965–66 3 1–01 0 0–00 — 5 1–06
Career total 17 4–07 4 1–02 4 0–01 25 5–10

Honours

Player

Austin Stacks
Kerry

Manager

Austin Stacks
Clara

References

  1. ^ O'Riordan, Ian (27 April 2017). "Magnificent 7: A look back at the most memorable U21 finals". The Irish Times. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  2. ^ "Legends of '70s setting the standard for Austin Stacks". Irish Independent. 28 November 2014. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  3. ^ Kimmage, Kevin (4 April 1999). "Jo Jo's passion play proved a step too far". Sunday Independent. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  4. ^ Duggan, Keith (2 April 1999). "Contrite Barrett banned for two years". The Irish Times. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  5. ^ Horan, Liam (30 March 1999). "'Contrite' Barrett resigns but still faces lengthy ban". Irish Independent.