The forgotten story of Harry Buckle – the saviour of football in Munster

A sectarian incident in 1920 indirectly led to the restoration of the Munster Football Association (MFA), which will celebrate its centenary in 2022.

Fordsons, FAI Free State Cup winners in 1926, with the trophy. Back: Paddy Kelly, Mal McKinny, Dinny Driscoll. Middle: L R Dalton (finance), Sally Connolly, Barney Collins, Bill O’Hagan, Jack Carabine, Jack Baylor, Jack Finn (trainer), J Leddy (comm). Front: Percy Rocky (treas), Billy Hannon, Jack Sullivan (capt), Frank Brady, H Scott (Manager Henry Fords), Harry Buckle, Dave Roberts, Paddy Barry, P J Gilhooley (sec).

In 1920, Harry Buckle; an Irish international with three caps to his name, was caught and thrown into Belfast Lough alongside 17 other Catholics in a vicious sectarian attack.

This was the second time he was targeted over his religion, the other occasion saw a bolt thrown at Buckle, leaving him with facial injuries.