Barefield National School places a special emphasis on sporting activities, which are regarded as not only an integral part of the school's philosophy of providing a broad balanced curriculum but also as an essential ingredient of fulfilling pupil teacher relations. The sporting calendar is brimful of challenge and change making sporting participation a big attraction for all pupils.

The Physical Education programme for all classes caters for gymnastics, dance, athletics, games. Plans are afoot to develop aquatic and orienteering strands in the near future. Games, in particular Gaelic games, gain the widest exposure.

The historic and well deserved elevation of the school to Division 1 status of a County wide six division competition when they won both the Division 2 Hurling and Football competitions was a well deserved honour. The unique feat was honoured with photographs of the winning teams and their hard working trainers in the 1999 Munster Hurling Final Programme.

The internal Frank Burns memorial Leagues together with consistent coaching have provided the stimulus for success such as the 1979 Division 11 championship, the 1986 Division 111 triumph followed by many appearance in the Division 11 final in 1988, 1990, 1994, 1995 (seven-aside) 1996 and 1998.

Football had its many near misses before the school achieved the honour of winning both the hurling and football Championships in 1998. Camogie's golden era came with two Division 1 Championships in the 1980's. Mr. Burns, Mr. Conroy, Ms. O'Sullivan and Ms Enright consider this voluntary work a labour of love.

The school was Clare Basketball champions in 1999. They also participated in indoor soccer and basketball competitions in Galway and other venues. The opening in 1999 of a state of the art General Purpose room provides facilities for the many internal skills and training sessions in their activities with the school at present preparing for upcoming indoor hurling and camogie competitions.

1999 Munster Basketball Champions.

Together with a recently developed new GAA field and the old training field, Barefield school is well equipped for the next millennium of sporting endeavour.

An international dimension has been added to the schools cultural and sporting activities. As participants in SIP under the NCTE the school has posted four lesson plans on the history, development and skills of the GAA on the internet.

In a similar vein the senior pupils recorded and designed comprehensive website on St. Joseph's Club officially launched in the presence of the All-Ireland Club Champions.