‘She was a dream to work with and coach’

Former Cork ladies football-winning manager and current Cork senior football selector Eamonn Ryan has paid tribute to retiring legend Rena Buckley, describing her as an excellent role model for young people who showed it is possible to be successful in both study and in sport, while also having a good life socially.

“I first came across Rena in 2004 when she was a Leaving Cert student. She was quietly spoken with a quiet personality. She was very co-operative to work with. It was obvious she was very talented at both camogie and football. She had already won a lot at underage level. But you wouldn’t have known about her successes unless someone told you.

“She never pushed herself to the front, and whatever you said to her to do, she did it. She never questioned you. She was a dream to work with and to coach. She was also a top-class student who did very well in her Leaving Cert, and it must be remembered this was all achieved in parallel to her sports.