Even at 75, Barry was a winner
That quote by 19th century British Prime Minister Benjamin Disraeli might have been composed in honour of Mick Barry. His name is forever associated with road bowling and with it the legacy of great example in his chosen sport, in his work and with family and friends. That message was springing from the lips of thousands of bowling fans, colleagues, friends and family over the past few days.
Every bowlplayer of note, some not too much younger than Barry and some who never saw a bowl in his hand, turned out to offer their respects. Every arena, every score he played seemed to be in the ether. Tremendous shots that turned defeat into victory, the rare Waterloo along the way, when someone became the Duke of Wellington for felling Napoleon on an off day.
Johnny Creedon, who interrupted what could have been nine Munster titles on the trot in 1968 to seize his own chance for All-Ireland glory, had theories on how he might be beaten. Others were recounting huge throws, incredible lofts, and stories of his practice shots in the quarry at UCC in front of galleries of students.
Barry really was the exceptional sportsman. His approach resembled that of modern day professional sports people. It was all about physical fitness, practice, practice and more practice. Being mentally and physically tuned to the challenge. He didn’t drink or smoke. He pushed himself to his physical limits. He believed in the value of proper sleep. It’s hard to imagine that he was born a few months after the end of World War I.
Even more difficult to comprehend is he started his senior career in the generation of Red Crowley. His great rival Denis O’Donovan was from a second generation of opponents. Johnny Creedon and Derry Kenny, who contested the 1963 All-Ireland final, were a third generation. Denis Scully represented a fourth generation.
From a bowling perspective, he may well have been born 30 years too soon. What would he have done had he underage competition, been at his prime at the inception of the All-Ireland championships and the European championships? Been given opportunities like King of the Roads, the Joe McVeigh Cup and all the other glamour events?
Twenty years ago, at the age of 75, he had one of his most famous wins. A reprise of his heyday jousts with Denis O’Donovan of Fisher’s Cross. This time a Munster Vintage final. I re-read my report of that score. I was enthralled by Barry just as much as those that saw his teenage potential 60 years earlier and regretful for not having seen him in his prime.
This is the report I filed of that famous score on October 16, 1994: Mick Barry won the Munster Vintage bowling championship final by two bowls of odds with an unbelievable display of bowling at Crossbarry.
He unleashed an awesome power to cover the road in 18 shots, a feat which defied his 75 years and subjected a game and determined Denis O’Donovan to defeat despite his own excellent bowling. He led from the first shot and increased in power and dominance as the score progressed. O’Donovan had a few chances to hold him in check, but in truth he could have done nothing on the day.
Barry went almost a bowl of odds in front after a tremendous third throw to sight at Moore’s corner. O’Donovan came back at him with a great sixth throw, but again Barry dug deep and beat the tip well. He came within a metre of a bowl of odds after two good shots to Twohig’s and then raised it with his next throw.
O’Donovan knocked the bowl of odds at the next tip and looked as if he might mount a more serious challenge. They exchanged great shots through O’Connor’s cross and equally good ones to O’Grady’s.
Barry’s next bowl was spectacular in every respect. He lifted it 30 metres onto the sop, it raced to Sheehan’s lane and gave him a bowl of odds. His next throw past the monument was another exceptional bowl and this put him almost two bowls of odds in front. He stormed past the line in three more throws edging ever closer to a second bowl of odds.
O’Donovan fought bravely and defied him at every tip except the last, a parked car in part responsible for him conceding a second bowl of odds. But this was Barry’s day. It was one of the greatest victories he has achieved in the most decorated career in bowling. He defied every logic of sport.
He covered a tough, unyielding road in 18 shots, a tally which would do credit to a top junior A player at the pinnacle of his career.
