Barbara was born in Waterford, but helped form Malahide Cricket Club back in 1988 – quickly proving herself to be the outstanding seam bowler of her generation.

She played for Ireland Under-19s before winning her first senior cap in 1993 aged 21 against Netherlands. By 1996 she had become a senior team regular and won sixty caps in the following decade.

Barbara saved some of her best performances for the biggest games, taking 3 for 17 against South Africa, 4 for 8 against Pakistan and 4 for 13 against West Indies. She played in three World Cups and took 63 wickets at less than three runs an over.