Exeter-born Barry McConnell made nearly two hundred league and cup appearances for his hometown club between 1996 and 2005. After a serious injury finished his City career, Barry later played for a number of non-league clubs including a four-year stint at Truro City. 

Barry played junior football for Beacon Knights and signed associate schoolboy forms for Exeter City in November 1991. After representing Exeter and East Devon Schools, and having a season playing for the club in the Devon and Exeter Youth League, he became a trainee in 1993 prior to turning professional in August 1995.

Starting his youth career as a striker, but eventually settling into a defensive role, Barry made his league debut in a 4-2 defeat at Rochdale in September 1995. He started to feature more frequently from 1996/97 when he played in around half of the club’s games. Thereafter, aside from 2000/01 when he rarely appeared (and was loaned to Weston-super-Mare), Barry usually played twenty to thirty times a season with his most appearances coming during 2001/02.

Early in his career there was the possibility of Barry joining Nottingham Forest to play for the under-20s but, as time progressed, Barry assumed the mantle of the home-grown “one-club” player who frequently featured but not quite on a week-in, week-out basis. His City career spanned the club’s relegation from the Football League and it was during City’s second season in the Conference that Barry suffered a broken leg at Aldershot in October 2004 effectively ending his time with the Grecians.. He was already due a testimonial for his long service - a game against Charlton Athletic took place in May 2005 - and, after a final appearance in the Football League Trophy in October 2005, Barry left St James’ Park in December 2005.

After brief stays at Tamworth and Forest Green Rovers, Barry finished the 2005/06 season at Tiverton Town for whom he played thirty times before signing for Weston-super-Mare and, in February 2007, Dorchester Town. He then returned to Weston ahead of enjoying a four-season stay in Cornwall as Truro City climbed the leagues. Barry joined Weymouth for the 2012/13 season prior to dropping down to play for Exmouth Town where he was then living.