Barry McCarthy is an Ireland seam bowler whose involvement with Durham owed much to a recommendation by their England allrounder, Ben Stokes, who faced him in the nets before a one-day international and advised his county to take a look. Durham did just that and McCarthy made his first-class debut in 2015. A maiden five-wicket haul for Durham against Lancashire in Chester-le-Street the following year added to the good impression he had built at Ireland Under-19 level and during a spell with the Australian grade side Randwick-Petersham.

When Ireland were granted Test status, McCarthy was ambitious to become a central part of Ireland's Test side, but he was "bitterly disappointed" to miss out on selection for their inaugural Test against Pakistan. He was released by Durham at the end of that 2018 summer.

His sister, Louise McCarthy, has also represented Ireland Women.
ESPNcricinfo staff