Connie Buckley
Encyclopedia
Connie 'Sonny' Buckley was an Irish
sportsperson. He played hurling
with his local club Glen Rovers
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1936 until 1941. Buckley captained Cork to the All-Ireland
title in 1941.
where his talents at Gaelic games
were brought to the fore. In 1934 Buckley was a key member of the college team that captured the Munster
colleges’ title. When the ‘North Mon
’ retained the famous Dr. Harty Cup title in 1935 Buckley was captain of the team. That same year he captured a Munster
colleges’ title with the 'North Mon' football team. Together with his schoolmate Jack Lynch
, He was also chosen on the Munster colleges’ inter-provincial hurling and football teams that year.
In 1942 Buckley was forced to emigrate to London
where he found employment with the Ford Motor Company
in Dagenham
. He returned to Cork shortly afterwards. Buckley was married to Kitty Byrne and together they had seven children.
with Glen Rovers
, one of the most famous club teams of all-time. His first major victory at club level was a minor football title
with the Glen’s sister team, St. Nick's, in 1932. The following year Buckley captured a minor hurling title
with Glen Rovers, thus beginning a great era of success. The Glen had joined the ranks of the senior county championship
in the 1920s, and went on to win their first county title, with Buckley at midfield, in 1934. An unprecedented seven more consecutive county titles would follow between then and 1941. Buckley was the only player to figure in all eight successes and he was given the honour of captaining the side on the occasion of their so far unequalled eighth county victory in-a-row. His brother, Jack Buckley, joined the team in 1935, while another brother, Din Joe Buckley
, became part of the set up in 1938. Buckley retired from club hurling in 1942 following the Glen’s defeat in the semi-final of the county championship. During his career he also won two county senior football medals with St. Nick's in 1938 and 1941.
. Unfortunately, it was an unusually barren period for the county following a great period of success in the 1920s, as Limerick
were the standard bearers in Munster at the time.
All this changed in 1939 when Cork, with Buckley starring at midfield, captured the Munster
title for the first time since 1931. The subsequent All-Ireland final against Kilkenny
has gone down in history as the ‘thunder and lightning final’, with Cork losing out to their great rivals by a single point following a ferocious thunderstorm.
At the start of 1940 Buckley captured his first major national title when he won a National League medal. Cork later contested the Munster final, however, after a replay the great Limerick
team of the era emerged as the victors.
Buckley won a second consecutive National League medal in 1941, but that year's hurling championship was severely hampered due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Munster
and Leinster
. As a result of this Tipperary
and Kilkenny, the two counties that were affected the most, were not allowed to participate and it was decided that Cork would represent Munster in the All-Ireland final. The game against Dublin
turned into a rout thanks to contributing goals from Johnny Quirke
and Ted O'Sullivan
. At the full-time whistle Cork had won by 5-11 to 0-6. It was one of the most one-sided championship deciders of all-time, however, it did give Buckley a coveted All-Ireland
medal, as well as the honour of collecting the Liam McCarthy Cup
on behalf of Cork.
Buckley’s emigration in 1942 brought his inter-county hurling career to a premature end. He returned in 1943, however, a young Cork team were attempting to capture a third All-Ireland title in-a-row. There was no place for Buckley on this team.
in the inter-provincial hurling championship where he played alongside his championship rivals from other Munster hurling counties. He played in the Railway Cup final of 1941, however, Munster were defeated by Leinster
on that occasion.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
sportsperson. He played hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club Glen Rovers
Glen Rovers GAA
Glen Rovers is a Cork-based Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Ballyvolane and Blackpool areas of Cork city, Ireland. The club was founded in 1916 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-Colours:...
and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1936 until 1941. Buckley captained Cork to the All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
title in 1941.
Biography
Connie ‘Sonny’ Buckley was born in Roman Street, Cork in 1915. The fourth child in a family of eleven born to Timothy and Elizabeth Buckley, he received his national school education at the nearby St. Vincent’s convent. He later attended the North MonasteryThe North Monastery
The North Monastery is a collection of primary, secondary and a Gaelcholáiste schools located at Our Lady's Mount, Cork City, Republic of Ireland.-History:...
where his talents at Gaelic games
Gaelic games
Gaelic games are sports played in Ireland under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The two main games are Gaelic football and hurling...
were brought to the fore. In 1934 Buckley was a key member of the college team that captured the Munster
Dr. Harty Cup
The Dr. Harty Cup is a hurling competition for schools in the province of Munster in Ireland. The cup is presented to the winners of the Munster Colleges Senior "A" Hurling Championship. Players have to be under the age of 19 to compete. The winning team represents Munster in the Dr. Croke Cup...
colleges’ title. When the ‘North Mon
The North Monastery
The North Monastery is a collection of primary, secondary and a Gaelcholáiste schools located at Our Lady's Mount, Cork City, Republic of Ireland.-History:...
’ retained the famous Dr. Harty Cup title in 1935 Buckley was captain of the team. That same year he captured a Munster
Corn Uí Mhuirí
Corn Uí Mhuirí is the cup presented to the winners of the Munster colleges senior football "A" championship, the top level Gaelic football championship for secondary schools in Munster. The holders advance to the All-Ireland colleges "A" senior football championship, where they compete for the...
colleges’ title with the 'North Mon' football team. Together with his schoolmate Jack Lynch
Jack Lynch
John Mary "Jack" Lynch was the Taoiseach of Ireland, serving two terms in office; from 1966 to 1973 and 1977 to 1979....
, He was also chosen on the Munster colleges’ inter-provincial hurling and football teams that year.
In 1942 Buckley was forced to emigrate to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
where he found employment with the Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
in Dagenham
Dagenham
Dagenham is a large suburb in East London, forming the eastern part of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham and located east of Charing Cross. It was historically an agrarian village in the county of Essex and remained mostly undeveloped until 1921 when the London County Council began...
. He returned to Cork shortly afterwards. Buckley was married to Kitty Byrne and together they had seven children.
Club
Buckley played his club hurlingHurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with Glen Rovers
Glen Rovers GAA
Glen Rovers is a Cork-based Gaelic Athletic Association club based in the Ballyvolane and Blackpool areas of Cork city, Ireland. The club was founded in 1916 and is primarily concerned with the game of hurling.-Colours:...
, one of the most famous club teams of all-time. His first major victory at club level was a minor football title
Cork Minor Football Championship
The Cork Minor Football Championship is a Gaelic football competition for Gaelic Athletic Association players under the age of 18 in County Cork, Ireland. This competition is also known as the Premier Minor Football Championship and is played on a county-wide basis. The competing clubs do not play...
with the Glen’s sister team, St. Nick's, in 1932. The following year Buckley captured a minor hurling title
Cork Minor Hurling Championship
The Cork Minor Hurling Championship is a hurling competition for Gaelic Athletic Association players under the age of 18 in County Cork, Ireland. This competition is also known as the Cork Premier Minor Hurling Championship since 1992. It is played on a countywide basis. Prior to 1992, all teams...
with Glen Rovers, thus beginning a great era of success. The Glen had joined the ranks of the senior county championship
Cork Senior Hurling Championship
The Evening Echo Cork County Senior Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Cork County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in the county of Cork in Ireland....
in the 1920s, and went on to win their first county title, with Buckley at midfield, in 1934. An unprecedented seven more consecutive county titles would follow between then and 1941. Buckley was the only player to figure in all eight successes and he was given the honour of captaining the side on the occasion of their so far unequalled eighth county victory in-a-row. His brother, Jack Buckley, joined the team in 1935, while another brother, Din Joe Buckley
Din Joe Buckley
Din Joe Buckley was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Glen Rovers and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1940 until 1949. Buckley was the last surviving member of Cork's four-in-a-row team of the 1940s.-Early life:Din Joe Buckley was born in...
, became part of the set up in 1938. Buckley retired from club hurling in 1942 following the Glen’s defeat in the semi-final of the county championship. During his career he also won two county senior football medals with St. Nick's in 1938 and 1941.
Inter-county
Buckley played hurling with the Cork senior inter-county team for the first time in the 1935-36 National Hurling LeagueNational Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
. Unfortunately, it was an unusually barren period for the county following a great period of success in the 1920s, as Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
were the standard bearers in Munster at the time.
All this changed in 1939 when Cork, with Buckley starring at midfield, captured the Munster
Munster Senior Hurling Championship
The Munster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Munster in Ireland....
title for the first time since 1931. The subsequent All-Ireland final against Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
has gone down in history as the ‘thunder and lightning final’, with Cork losing out to their great rivals by a single point following a ferocious thunderstorm.
At the start of 1940 Buckley captured his first major national title when he won a National League medal. Cork later contested the Munster final, however, after a replay the great Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
team of the era emerged as the victors.
Buckley won a second consecutive National League medal in 1941, but that year's hurling championship was severely hampered due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Munster
Munster
Munster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the south of Ireland. In Ancient Ireland, it was one of the fifths ruled by a "king of over-kings" . Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the ancient kingdoms were shired into a number of counties for administrative and judicial purposes...
and Leinster
Leinster
Leinster is one of the Provinces of Ireland situated in the east of Ireland. It comprises the ancient Kingdoms of Mide, Osraige and Leinster. Following the Norman invasion of Ireland, the historic fifths of Leinster and Mide gradually merged, mainly due to the impact of the Pale, which straddled...
. As a result of this Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
and Kilkenny, the two counties that were affected the most, were not allowed to participate and it was decided that Cork would represent Munster in the All-Ireland final. The game against Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
turned into a rout thanks to contributing goals from Johnny Quirke
Johnny Quirke
Johnny Quirke was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Blackrock and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1932 until 1946...
and Ted O'Sullivan
Ted O'Sullivan (hurler)
Ted O'Sullivan was an Irish sportsperson. He was born in Midleton, County Cork. He played hurling with his local clubs Midleton, Blackrock and St. Finbarr's and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1939 until 1943. O'Sullivan won two All-Ireland titles, two Munster titles and...
. At the full-time whistle Cork had won by 5-11 to 0-6. It was one of the most one-sided championship deciders of all-time, however, it did give Buckley a coveted All-Ireland
All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship
The GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1887 for the top hurling teams in Ireland....
medal, as well as the honour of collecting the Liam McCarthy Cup
Liam McCarthy Cup
The MacCarthy Perpetual Challenge Cup is a trophy awarded annually by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the hurling team that wins the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.-The trophy:...
on behalf of Cork.
Buckley’s emigration in 1942 brought his inter-county hurling career to a premature end. He returned in 1943, however, a young Cork team were attempting to capture a third All-Ireland title in-a-row. There was no place for Buckley on this team.
Inter-provincial
Buckley also lined out with MunsterMunster GAA
The Munster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Munster.-Constituent counties:*Cork*Clare*Kerry*Limerick*Tipperary*Waterford-Honours:...
in the inter-provincial hurling championship where he played alongside his championship rivals from other Munster hurling counties. He played in the Railway Cup final of 1941, however, Munster were defeated by Leinster
Leinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
on that occasion.