Who is Donie Buckley?

IF YOU thought scoring a winning goal in the last minute of an All-Ireland final is as good as it gets in the GAA, think again. Mickey Ned O’Sullivan’s bouquets towards Limerick’s physical trainer Donie Buckley proves that making a difference doesn’t begin and end on the field of play.

Buckley has won praise wherever he has coached, whether that’s in Galway, Clare or Limerick but he’s still a hometown hero in Castleisland, Co Kerry for getting a fist to a Martin Downey sideline ball in the final moments of the All-Ireland Club SFC final of 1985. That St Patrick’s Day in Tipperary town witnessed the shock of Castleisland Desmonds defeating the famed St Vincent’s of Dublin, 2-2 to 0-7 to claim their only All-Ireland club title.

Colleagues say he wasn’t the greatest trainer himself, but over the years Buckley has forged a successful coaching career, earning a glowing reputation.