JAMAICA 0 REP OF IRELAND 1 (Barrett 26)
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The 22-year-old, who made his debut against Finland two years ago, came off the bench to earn his third cap in Saturday’s 3-0 defeat at the hands of Nigeria and then grabbed a well-struck winner to see off the Jamaicans.
With Nigeria having already lifted the trophy, Kerr kept his promise to give his fringe players a chance. In fielding Ireland’s most inexperienced line-up for several years, he made seven changes to the team which started on Saturday, including giving a full debut to Sheffield United goalkeeper Paddy Kenny.
There was also an introduction to international football for Celtic prodigy Aidan McGeady, who came on for the final eight minutes for his first cap.
After eight minutes Birmingham City striker Clinton Morrison was unmarked at the back of the six-yard box when Barrett headed the ball over stranded Jamaica goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts from the right channel.
However Morrison sent his header against the underside of the bar and the ball was eventually hooked clear for a squandered chance.
Eight minutes later Morrison stole a yard on the Jamaican defence as he charged down the left, but he carried the ball too wide and from the edge of the six-yard box he drove straight at the goalkeeper.
It was left to Barrett to create a chance out of nothing when he gave himself a bit of space and fired home a low drive.
The lowest crowd of the three matches, just over 6,000, made plenty of noise but were not treated to any decent goalmouth action in the second half.
In fact, the loudest cheer was reserved for a 66th-minute male streaker on a balmy night in south London.
The Irish squad flies out to Amsterdam tomorrow for a friendly against Holland on Saturday. Kerr will more-than-likely have the services of Manchester United skipper Roy Keane if reports are to be confirmed, along with unused substitute tonight, Robbie Keane.
Jamaica: Ricketts, Stewart, Neil, Goodison, King (Dobson 82), Chin-Sue (Langley 65), Hyde, Reid, Lisbie (Johnson 60), F Davis, Burton (Bernard 81)
Subs (not used): Lawrence, Whitmore, Langley, C Davis
Republic of Ireland: Kenny, Maybury, O'Shea (Clarke 46), Doherty, O'Brien, Kinsella, Barrett, Quinn (Holland 81), Lee (McGeady 81), Morrison, Reid (Rowlands 75)
Subs (not used): Colgan, Finnan, Thompson, McPhail, Doyle, Robbie Keane
Ref: R Styles
Att: 6,155.