Barron attended Kilcormac Vocational School and played hurling in all grades during his time there. His performances earned his inclusing on the Offaly vocational schools' team and he won a Leinster VS SHC title in 1989.[1] Barron first played for club side Kilcormac–Killoughey at juvenile and underage levels before progressing to adult level.
At inter-county level, Barron first played for Offaly as a member of the minor team. He was at right wing-back when Offaly beat Clare by 2–16 to 1–12 in the 1989 All-Ireland MHC final.[2] Barron later progressed to the under-21 team and won consecutive Leinster U21HC medals in 1991 and 1992, however, these provincial wins were subsequently followed by consecutive All-Ireland U21HC final defeats.[3] Barron made his senior team debut in a National Hurling League game against Down in October 1992.[4]