Barry Hennessy (born 14 October 1989) is an Irish hurler who plays as a goalkeeper for club side Kilmallock and at senior level for the Limerick county team.
Hennessy first came to prominence as a hurler with Ardscoil RÃÂs in Limerick. Having played in every grade, he was in goal on the college's senior team that reached the semi-finals of the Harty Cup for the first time.
Hennessy joined the Kilmallock club at a young age and played in all grades at juvenile and underage levels, enjoying championship success in the minor and under-21 grades.
On 3 October 2010, Hennessy lined out in his first Limerick Senior Championship final. A 1âÂÂ16 to 1âÂÂ12 defeat of divisional side Emmets gave him his first championship medal.
After surrendering their championship crown in 2011, Kilmallock reached the championship decider again on 7 October 2012. Jake Mulcahy scored a vital goal to secure a 1âÂÂ15 to 0âÂÂ15 victory over Adare and a second championship medal for Hennessy.
On 19 October 2014, Hennessy won a third championship medal following a 1âÂÂ15 to 0âÂÂ14 defeat of reigning champions Na Piarsaigh. He later won a Munster Championship medal following a 1âÂÂ32 to 3-18 extra-time defeat of Cratloe in the final. On 17 March 2015, Hennessy was in goal for Kilmallock in their 1âÂÂ18 to 1âÂÂ06 defeat by Ballyhale Shamrocks in the All-Ireland final at Croke Park.
Hennessy first played for the Limerick minor hurling team at the age of seventeen. He made his only appearance in that grade on 23 June 2007 in a 3âÂÂ21 to 0-12 Munster Championship defeat by Tipperary.
On 15 July 2009, Hennessy made his first appearance with the Limerick under-21 hurling team in a 4âÂÂ22 to 2âÂÂ13 defeat by Clare in the Munster Championship. His tenure with the under-21 team ended with a three-point defeat by Clare the following season.
Hennessy made his first appearance in goal for the Limerick intermediate hurling team in a 1âÂÂ16 to 0-15 Munster Championship defeat of Clare on 22 June 2008. He later won a Munster Championship medal following a 2âÂÂ16 to 2âÂÂ12 victory over Tipperary in the final at Semple Stadium. On 30 August 2008, Hennessy was in goal when Limerick were defeated by six points by Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final.
Hennessy made his senior debut in goal for Limerick in a 0âÂÂ19 to 2âÂÂ09 defeat by University College Cork in the pre-season Waterford Crystal Cup on 23 January 2010. He made no further appearances that season as Tadhg Flynn became Limerick's first-choice goalkeeper. Hennessy was dropped from the panel the following season.
Hennessy returned to the Limerick senior panel under manager T. J. Ryan for the 2014 season. He was an unused substitute for the entire season. On 24 May 2015, Hennessy made his first Munster Championship appearance in a 1âÂÂ19 to 2âÂÂ15 defeat of Clare.
On 19 August 2018, Hennessy was a non-playing substitute when Limerick won their first All-Ireland title in 45 years after a 3âÂÂ16 to 2âÂÂ18 defeat of Galway in the final.
On 31 March 2019, Hennessy was named on the bench for Limerick's National League final meeting with Waterford at Croke Park. He collected a winners' medal as a non-playing substitute in the 1âÂÂ24 to 0âÂÂ19 victory. On 30 June 2019, Hennessy won a Munster Championship medal as a non-playing substitute following Limerick's 2âÂÂ26 to 2âÂÂ14 defeat of Tipperary in the final.
Hennessy has spoken about his struggles with an eating disorder.