Cian Barrett


Cian Barrett is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for League of Ireland Premier Division club Waterford, on loan from Shamrock Rovers. He has previously spent time on loan at Kerry in the League of Ireland First Division.

Club career

Barrett came through the Shamrock Rovers academy, featuring for the under‑15 side before a move to Shelbourne’s under‑17 team under Damien Duff. He later rejoined Shamrock Rovers, signing to the senior squad in early 2023. He made his senior debut for the club in a 4–1 victory over UCD in that season's Leinster Senior Cup.
In March 2023, Barrett joined Kerry on loan, making over 25 appearances in their inaugural First Division season. He returned to Shamrock Rovers at the end of the 2023 campaign.
The following season, Barrett was introduced as a substitute in Shamrock Rovers' President's Cup victory. He made 5 league appearances, and was named on the bench in UEFA Champions League qualifiers against Víkingur and Sparta Prague.
Midway through the 2024 season Barrett grew frustrated at the lack of first-team opportunities, and on transfer deadline day in July, he re‑signed for Kerry on loan for the rest of the season. He wore the number 24 shirt and appeared in midfield and defence across ten league games. Barrett returned to Shamrock Rovers at the conclusion of the season.
Barrett became increasingly involved in the Shamrock Rovers first-team squad in 2025. On 31 July, he made his European debut, starting in a UEFA Conference League qualifier against St Joseph's. On 5 October 2025, he scored the first senior goal of his career, the final goal of the game in a 6–1 win over his former club Kerry in the FAI Cup Semi Final at Tallaght Stadium.
On 30 January 2026, Barrett signed for fellow League of Ireland Premier Division club Waterford on a season-long loan deal.

International career

Barrett has represented the Republic of Ireland at youth level. He earned ten caps for the under‑15 team, playing both in defence and midfield.

Style of play

Barrett is primarily a midfielder, comfortable playing centrally or on the right side of midfield, but he has also been deployed at centre‑back and right-back.

Personal life

He is the son of former Republic of Ireland international, Graham Barrett, and grandson of Gary Barrett, both of whom played for Shamrock Rovers. He credits his father with having a positive influence on his professional career. Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley praised Barrett for “carrying on the tradition through his family”. Barrett attended Tallaght Community School and completed his Leaving Certificate there in 2023.