Corrie Barrett had one dream growing up. To play rugby for Ulster. Ever since he was first taken to mini-rugby sessions at Instonians Rugby Club on Shaws Bridge by his father, lining out for his home province was all that he ever wanted to do.
This season Barrett fulfilled that lifelong ambition and he has gone on to gain a further seven appearances since his debut in a pre-season challenge against Benetton at Ravenhill.
But Barrett’s journey to achieving that dream has been anything but smooth as the former RBAI schools cup-winning prop received body blow after body blow.
“It hasn’t been easy but we’re here now,” said Barrett.
“Obviously left school and I was in the sub academy, but unfortunately, I didn’t get kept on. Dan Soper was my school coach and it was him that set me up with heading out to New Zealand.
“I initially went out to his local team that he grew up and played in and then after that managed to play pretty well, got picked up by Otago under-19’s and played in their local tournaments. Then got asked to move down to the city in Dunedin and be part of the wider Otago training squad and play alongside the Dunedin Sharks.”
Barrett’s performances in New Zealand also went unnoticed in Belfast. So, in pursuit of earning that lucrative Ulster contract, Barrett found himself back home and lining out for the Ulster ‘A’ side.
But again, no professional contract was put on the table and instead, the tight-head prop found himself lining out in the All-Ireland league side, Garryowen.
Barrett’s impressive showings in Limerick caught the eye of the Munster management but another cruel blow was about to strike in the form of the Covid-19 pandemic.
After a period spent working for his dad, Barrett decided to up sticks again and head for the English Championship where he lined out for both Bedford and Doncaster.
But after hearing of a slot opening up at Ulster, a call was quickly made to his agent and a trial was agreed to. And the rest they say is history.
In a career that has seen more dark days than he can remember, a burning desire to play for Ulster was always in the back of his head and it was that burning desire to fulfil his dream move that kept him going through those dark times.
“I don’t think there was ever a point in my mind that I thought that I would give up on this. It had always been to come home and play.
“I was always wanting to be playing for Ulster no matter what was really in my head and I think that’s what kind of kept me going this past couple of years.
“By no means, the championship was easier. There was tough times then. Either with be it selection or with injury.
“But I think I had to always keep it in the back of my mind that this is the goal.”
