The retirement of Cillian Buckley from the Senior Inter-County scene over a month ago after 13 years of service brought to an end a highly successful career in which he won 3 All-Irelands, 8 Leinsters, 5 National Leagues and 2 All-Stars, while he also captained Kilkenny to win the National League Final against Tipperary in Nowlan Park in 2018.
Cillian played Minor and U-21 for Kilkenny with Richie Mulrooney the manager of both of those teams he played in, and the highlight came in 2010 when he captained the Cats to win The Minor All-Ireland Final.
The Dicksboro clubman also won All-Ireland Colleges Medals with St. Kierans in 2010 and 2011, both against Ardscoil Ris of Limerick before graduating to The Senior Inter-County set-up in 2012.
Cillian made his Senior Inter-County debut when he came on as a substitute in the Walsh Cup Final as Kilkenny defeated Galway in Salthill, and the two counties would become well acquainted with one another as they met one another on 5 occassions throughout 2012.
He became a regular throughout the National League campaign in his debut season and he started the Final as Kilkenny easily defeated Cork.
Cillian actually started the Leinster Final in 2012 as Kilkenny suffered a 10 point defeat to Galway, but along with his Kilkenny teammates he would have the last laugh as they came through the back door to prevail against the Tribesmen in an All-Ireland final following a replay.
He made his presence felt when coming off the bench in Kilkenny’s landslide All-Ireland Semi-Final triumph against Tipperary and after the All-Ireland Final between Kilkenny and Galway ended in a draw, Brian Cody made 2 changes for the first replayed Final in 53 years (1959). Cillian Buckley and Walter Walsh were brought into the starting 15 for the replay with both players making a impact.
Cillian scored a point in the 48th minute that put Kilkenny four points ahead, after Joe Canning smashed a goal chance against the post just seconds prior to that. Kilkenny cruised to victory afterwards, as Walter Walsh produced a Man of the Match performance on his Senior Inter-County debut.
Walter actually got married the weekend after Cillian’s wedding in July of last year, with Cillian getting married on the eve of The All-Ireland Final.
In 2013, Cillian was on the starting 15 as Kilkenny won the League Final against Tipperary in Nowlan Park and he won All-Ireland medals in consecutive years in 2014 and 2015.
He was rewarded for consistency in both of those years with All-Stars, but unfortunately for Cillian and Kilkenny fortunes began to change and the Black and Amber go into 2025 a full decade since their last All-Ireland triumph.
However, Cillian continued to remain a regular in the Kilkenny line-up making a total of 56 championship appearances, and in 2018 he captained them to League Final glory against Tipperary in Nowlan Park.
Cillian was Kilkenny captain for 2018, after his club Dicksboro won their first Kilkenny Senior title in 24 years against city neighbours James Stephens in the County Final.
He started the 2019 All-Ireland Final loss against Tipperary and despite not been as regular a starter in latter years, Cillian continued to remain involved and he more than played his part in Kilkenny’s Leinster winning 5-in-a-row.
The undoubted highlight was his dramatic last gasp winning goal for Kilkenny in last years Leinster Final, as they snatched victory from Galway. It was a moment that will forever live long in the memory.
Cillian got married on the eve of last years All-Ireland Final to Niamh Dowling from Tullaroan, and he came on as a late substitute the following day as Limerick strolled to four-in-a-row.
Unfortunately for Cillian he didn’t get to feature in this years Championship, but when he reflects on his Inter-County career he can do so with in a career with plenty of distinction.
He is continuing to hurl for Dicksboro, and this weekend he will be in action against Thomastown in the final round of games in the Senior League before attention turns to knockout Championship next weekend.
CILLIAN BUCKLEY
