Garry Buckley
{{short description|Irish footballer (born 1993)}}
{{For|the American politician|T. Garry Buckley}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Garry Buckley
| full_name =
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1993|8|19}}
| birth_place = Cork, Ireland
| height =
| position = Defender, midfielder
| currentclub = Galway United
| clubnumber = 26
| youthyears1 = –2011
| youthclubs1 = Leeds
| youthyears2 = 2011–2013
| youthclubs2 = Cork City
| years1 = 2012–2019 | clubs1 = Cork City | caps1 = 187 | goals1 = 33
| years2 = 2020–2023 | clubs2 = Sligo Rovers | caps2 = 69 | goals2 = 3
| years3 = 2024– | clubs3 = Galway United | caps3 = 25 | goals3 = 0
| club-update = 17:31, 7 May 2025 (UTC)
}}
Garry Buckley (born 19 August 1993) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender or midfielder for League of Ireland Premier Division club Galway United. He previously played for Cork City and Sligo Rovers.
Career
=Youth career=
Buckley grew up in Ballyvolane on the north side of Cork{{Cite web|url=https://www.sligorovers.com/garry-buckley-interview/|title=Garry Buckley Interview – Sligo Rovers|date=March 15, 2023}} and began playing schoolboy football with local club Leeds, before joining the Academy of League of Ireland club Cork City in 2011, becoming a part of their under-19 side that won the double two years in a row before joining the first team.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/player/11113007/garry_buckley/|title=Garry Buckley | Stats | History | Career Details | Images | extratime.com - The Home of Irish Football - Extratime.com|website=www.extratime.com}}
=Cork City=
On 21 February 2012, Buckley made his first appearance in senior football for Cork City, in a 3–2 win away to Rockmount in the Munster Senior Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/fixtures/2012-munster-senior-cup-quarter-finals/rockmount-v-cork-city/18061/4/report/|title=Rockmount 2 - 3 Cork City - REPORT | 2012 Munster Senior Cup Quarter Finals | extratime.com - The Home of Irish Football|website=extratime.com}} His first appearance in the league came on 7 September 2012, when he played the full 90 minutes and scored the only goal of the game in a 1–0 victory away to Derry City.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/fixtures/2012-league-of-ireland-premier-division/derry-city-v-cork-city/18002/4/report/|title=Derry City 0 - 1 Cork City|website=extratime.com}} In 2014, he scored a career best of 11 goals in 33 appearances in all competitions as his side went on an unexpected title charge, being beaten to the title in the final game of the season away to Dundalk.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2014/1023/654386-dundalk-v-cork-city/|title=Dundalk crowned Premier Division champions|date=October 23, 2014|via=www.rte.ie}} In September 2014, he signed a new contract with the club to the end of 2015.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/articles/13002/buckley-extends-contract-cork-city/|title=Buckley extends contract with Cork City|first=Gareth|last=Penrose|website=extratime.com}} On 2 July 2015, he made his first appearance in European competition in a 1–1 draw at home to KR Reykjavik in the UEFA Europa League at Turners Cross.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/cork-city-six-games-without-a-win-in-europe-as-theyre-held-to-draw-in-turners-cross/31348395.html|title=Cork City six games without a win in Europe as they're held to draw in Turner's Cross|date=July 2, 2015|website=Irish Independent}} He played at the Aviva Stadium for the first time on 8 November 2015, as his side were beaten 1–0 by Dundalk in the 2015 FAI Cup final.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2015/1108/740495-dundalk-do-the-double-with-extra-time-cup-win/|title=Dundalk do the double with extra-time FAI Cup win|first=Ed|last=Leahy|date=November 8, 2015|via=www.rte.ie}} On 26 November 2015, he signed a new 2 year contract with the club.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thecork.ie/2015/11/26/garry-buckley-signs-two-year-contract-with-cork-city-fc/|title=Garry Buckley signs two year contract with Cork City FC|date=November 26, 2015}} On 6 November 2016, he played in the 2016 FAI Cup final in a 1–0 win over Dundalk at the Aviva Stadium.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/cork-dundalk-match-report-2-3066717-Nov2016/|title=Maguire the hero as Cork stun Dundalk in FAI Cup final|first=Paul|last=Fennessy|date=November 6, 2016|website=The 42}} Buckley was part of the team that won the 2017 President of Ireland's Cup on 17 February 2017, beating Dundalk 3–0 at home.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/fixtures/2017-presidents-cup/cork-city-v-dundalk/30513/4/report/|title=President's Cup Report: Cork City 3 - 0 Dundalk|website=extratime.com}} On 12 June 2017, he scored in a 4–2 win over Wilton United in the final of the Munster Senior Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/fixtures/2017-munster-senior-cup-final/cork-city-v-wilton-united/31133/4/report/|title=Munster Senior Cup Final Report: Cork City 4 - 2 Wilton United (AET)|website=extratime.com}} On 29 June 2017, he scored his first European goal in a 2–0 win away to Estonian club Levadia Tallinn in the UEFA Europa League.{{Cite web|url=https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-40180566.html|title=Cork City goal heroes Buckley and Beattie on a high after key strikes in Europa League|date=June 30, 2017|website=echo live}} Buckley won his first league medal on 17 October 2017 after a 0–0 draw with Derry City was enough to confirm the 2017 League of Ireland Premier Division title, the club's first in 12 years.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/cork-city-v-derry-city-17-october-2017-3651245-Oct2017/|title=Draw with Derry sees Cork City clinch first Premier Division title in 12 years|first=Paul|last=Dollery|date=October 17, 2017|website=The 42}} On 5 November 2017, he was part of the side that won their fourth trophy of the year by beating Dundalk in the 2017 FAI Cup final at the Aviva Stadium after a penalty shootout.{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/fai-cup-final-dundalk-cork-city-3681252-Nov2017/|title=Cork City claim a first-ever double after penalty drama in the FAI Cup final|first=Ben|last=Blake|date=November 5, 2017|website=The 42}} In November 2017, he signed a new 2 year contract with the club, calling it a "no brainer" of a decision.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/articles/20056/garry-buckley-a-no-brainer-to-sign-two-year-extension-cork-city/|title=Garry Buckley: a 'no-brainer' to sign two year extension with Cork City|first=Dave|last=Donnelly|website=extratime.com}} On 13 March he played in the 5–0 win over St Mary's in the final of the Munster Senior Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-40169610.html|title=City ease to 18th Munster Senior Cup title|date=March 23, 2018|website=echo live}} On 4 November 2018, he faced Dundalk in the 2018 FAI Cup final for the fourth year running in the final, but was on the losing end of a 2–1 scoreline at the Aviva Stadium.{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-30883199.html|title=Patrick McEleney puts the seal on Dundalk's double delight|date=November 5, 2018|website=Irish Examiner}} On 9 February 2019, he played in the 2019 President of Ireland's Cup as his side were again beaten 2–1 by Dundalk.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dundalkdemocrat.ie/news/sport/363198/dundalk-fc-claim-president-s-cup-after-leeside-triumph-over-cork-city.html|title=Dundalk FC claim President's Cup after Leeside triumph over Cork City|first=Keith Wallace, at Turner's|last=Cross|date=February 9, 2019|website=www.dundalkdemocrat.ie}} On 22 March 2019, he came off the bench late on in a 3–1 win over Midleton in the final of the Munster Senior Cup.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/fixtures/2019-munster-senior-cup-final/cork-city-v-midleton/38429/4/report/|title=Munster Senior Cup Final Report: Cork City 3 - 1 Midleton|website=extratime.com}} He left the club at the end of 2019 after scoring 46 goals in 257 appearances in all competitions during his 8 seasons there.{{Cite web|url=https://ie.soccerway.com/players/garry-buckley/241330/|title=Republic of Ireland - G. Buckley - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=ie.soccerway.com}}
=Sligo Rovers=
Buckley signed for fellow League of Ireland Premier Division club Sligo Rovers on a 1 year contract on 28 November 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sligorovers.com/garry-buckley-joins-rovers/|title=Garry Buckley joins Rovers – Sligo Rovers|date=November 28, 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.the42.ie/garry-buckley-joins-sligo-4910695-Nov2019/|title=Sligo Rovers snap up 2017 double winner Garry Buckley from Cork City|first=Paul|last=Dollery|date=November 28, 2019|website=The 42}} He made his debut for the club on 14 February 2020, in a 1–0 defeat to Finn Harps in the opening game of three season at Finn Park.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oceanfm.ie/2020/02/15/finn-harps-win-season-opening-derby-against-sligo-rovers/|title=Finn Harps win season-opening derby against Sligo Rovers|date=February 15, 2020}} Having impressed in his new position of Centre back alongside partner John Mahon and helping the club to European football for the following year, he signed a new contract with the club for the 2021 season on 7 December 2020.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sligorovers.com/garry-buckley-signs-for-2021/|title=Garry Buckley signs for 2021 – Sligo Rovers|date=December 7, 2020}} On 2 April 2021, he scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 win over Longford Town at Bishopsgate.{{Cite web|url=https://www.extratime.com/fixtures/2021-league-of-ireland-premier-division/longford-town-v-sligo-rovers/42796/4/report/|title=League Report: Longford Town 0 - 1 Sligo Rovers|website=extratime.com}} On 27 October 2021, he signed a new 2 year contract with the club having helped them once again secure European football.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sligorovers.com/garry-buckley-signs-two-year-contract/|title=Garry Buckley signs two-year contract – Sligo Rovers|date=October 27, 2021}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/sligo/sport/soccer/nowhere-else-id-rather-be-says-garry-buckley-as-he-signs-new-rovers-deal/40990116.html|title='Nowhere else I'd rather be' says Garry Buckley as he signs new Rovers deal|date=October 28, 2021|website=Irish Independent}} On 4 August 2022, he suffered an Anterior cruciate ligament injury away to Viking in a UEFA Europa Conference League game in Norway that ruled him out for just under a year.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sligorovers.com/garry-buckley-injury-update/|title=Garry Buckley: Injury Update – Sligo Rovers|date=August 10, 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/soccer/arid-40937114.html|title=Sligo's Garry Buckley ruled out for rest of season with ACL injury|first=T. J.|last=Galvin|date=August 10, 2022|website=Irish Examiner}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.oceanfm.ie/2022/08/10/sligo-rovers-confirm-garry-buckley-injury/|title=Sligo Rovers confirm Garry Buckley injury|date=August 10, 2022}} He made his return to the side in a 2–1 loss to Drogheda United in the FAI Cup on 21 July 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.ie/regionals/sligo/sport/soccer/sligo-rovers-garry-buckley-relieved-to-be-back-on-the-pitch-following-long-road-to-recovery-a-year-after-suffering-acl-injury/a1930893069.html|title=Sligo Rovers' Garry Buckley relieved to be back on the pitch following 'long road' to recovery a year after suffering ACL injury|date=August 2, 2023|website=www.independent.ie}} He left the club at the end of 2023, having scored 3 goals in 80 appearances over 4 seasons.
=Galway United=
Buckley signed for newly promoted League of Ireland Premier Division club Galway United on 12 December 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://galwayunitedfc.ie/garry-buckley-signs-for-united/|title=Garry Buckley signs for United|first=Media|last=Team|date=December 12, 2023|website=Galway United}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.galwaybayfm.ie/sports/galway-united-sign-garry-buckley-from-sligo-rovers-151216|title=Galway United sign Garry Buckley from Sligo Rovers|first=Sport|last=GBFM|date=December 12, 2023|website=GalwayBayFM}} On 16 February 2024, he made his debut in the opening game of the season, a 1–0 defeat to St Patrick's Athletic at Eamonn Deacy Park, but had to be substituted off after he tore his quad, an injury that would keep him out of action for 3 months.{{Cite web|url=https://connachttribune.ie/buckley-hopes-injury-nighmare-is-behind-him-as-he-looks-forward-to-remainder-of-season/|title=Buckley hopes injury nightmare is behind him as he looks forward to remainder of season|first=Keith|last=Kelly|date=June 21, 2024|website=Connacht Tribune - Galway City Tribune}} On 15 November 2024, he signed a new contract with the club.{{Cite web|url=https://galwayunitedfc.ie/quartet-confirmed-for-2025/|title=Galway United confirm four players back for 2025 season|first=Media|last=Team|date=November 15, 2024|website=Galway United}}
Style of play
Buckley was originally an Attacking midfielder in his 8 seasons with Cork City, but was converted to a Centre back while with Sligo Rovers in 2020, playing there for the majority of the remainder of his career.{{Cite web|url=https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-40927739.html|title=Garry Buckley revived his career with Sligo Rovers after moving to defence|date=July 28, 2022|website=echo live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.echolive.ie/corksport/arid-40792467.html|title=Garry Buckley is thriving at the heart of the Sligo Rovers defence|date=January 25, 2022|website=echo live}}
Personal life
In 2023, while out injured from football through an Anterior cruciate ligament injury, Buckley donated his Bone marrow to his brother Micky who was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukaemia, after discovering that his bone marrow was a 100% match. The general consensus was that Micky Buckley himself was a much better player than Garry.
Career statistics
{{updated|match played on 2 May 2025}}{{Cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/garry-buckley/241330/|title=Republic of Ireland - G. Buckley - Profile with news, career statistics and history - Soccerway|website=int.soccerway.com}}
| class=wikitable style="text-align: center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition | ||||||||||||
| rowspan=2|Club
!rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National Cup{{efn|Includes FAI Cup}} !colspan=2|League Cup{{efn|Includes League of Ireland Cup}} !colspan=2|Europe !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="9"|Cork City
|2012 |rowspan="8"|LOI Premier Division |3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|Appearance(s) in the Munster Senior Cup|name=statsMSC}} | 0 | 5 | 1 | ||
| 2013
|22 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|3 appearances in the Setanta Sports Cup; 1 appearance in the Munster Senior Cup}} | 0 | 29 | 2 | ||
| 2014
|29 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | colspan="2"|— | 0{{efn|name=statsMSC}} | 0 | 33 | 11 | ||
| 2015
|27 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 2{{efn|Appearance(s) in the UEFA Europa League|name=statsUEL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=statsMSC}} | 0 | 38 | 5 | |
| 2016
|24 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 6{{efn|name=statsUEL}} | 0 | 1{{efn|name=statsMSC}} | 0 | 36 | 6 | |
| 2017
|26 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4{{efn|name=statsUEL}} | 1 | 4{{efn|1 appearance in the President of Ireland's Cup; 3 appearances, 1 goal in the Munster Senior Cup}} | 1 | 36 | 11 | |
| 2018
|27 | 9 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4{{efn|2 appearances in the UEFA Champions League; 2 appearances in the UEFA Europa League}} | 0 | 2{{efn|name=statsMSC}} | 0 | 38 | 9 | |
| 2019
|29 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2{{efn|name=statsUEL}} | 1 | 4{{efn|1 appearance in the President of Ireland's Cup; 3 appearances in the Munster Senior Cup}} | 0 | 38 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!187 | 33 | 23 | 7 | 11 | 3 | 18 | 2 | 18 | 1 | 257 | 46 | |
| rowspan="5"|Sligo Rovers
|2020 |rowspan="4"|LOI Premier Division |12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 14 | 0 | ||||
| 2021
|29 | 1 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 2{{efn|Appearance(s) in the UEFA Europa Conference League|name=statsUECL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 32 | 1 | |||
| 2022
|17 | 2 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 4{{efn|name=statsUECL}} | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 22 | 2 | |||
| 2023
|11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 12 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!69 | 3 | 5 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 6 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | 80 | 3 | |||
| rowspan="3"|Galway United
|2024 |rowspan="2"|LOI Premier Division |21 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 23 | 0 | ||||
| 2025
|4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 4 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | colspan="2"|— | 27 | 0 | ||||
| colspan="3"|Career Total
!281 | 36 | 30 | 7 | 11 | 3 | 24 | 2 | 18 | 1 | 364 | 49 |
{{notelist}}
Honours
;Cork City
- League of Ireland Premier Division (1): 2017
- FAI Cup (2): 2016, 2017
- President of Ireland's Cup (3): 2016, 2017, 2018
- Munster Senior Cup (3): 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://www.extratime.com/player/11113007/garry_buckley/ Garry Buckley Extratime.com Profile]
{{Galway United F.C. squad}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Buckley, Garry}}
Category:Republic of Ireland men's association footballers
Category:Cork City F.C. players
Category:Sligo Rovers F.C. players
Category:Galway United F.C. players
Category:League of Ireland players
Category:Men's association football defenders
Category:Men's association football midfielders
Category:Association footballers from County Cork