Carbery manager Tim Buckley steps away from managing the divisional side in 2024

CARBERY GAA football manager Tim Buckley has stepped away from the role after five years at the helm but remains an advocate of the Divisions/Colleges section in the Bon Secours Premier SFC.

Tim Buckley took over the Carbery footballers in February of 2018. 

During his tenure, the rural region’s performances steadily improved.

Off the field, Carbery now has a bigger pool of talent to select from, training structures in place and most importantly of all, genuine interest from available players to compete in the Divisions/Colleges section.

Stepping away wasn’t an easy decision but, after five years at the helm, Tim Buckley believed the time was right for a fresh approach.

“I guess from an overall point of view, I just wanted to see a change in the style of management for Carbery football,” Buckley told the Echo.

“It just felt like time to bring in somebody new, somebody fresh. Heading into the 2024 championship as a seeded Division, it was the perfect opportunity for someone to find their way and put their own stamp on things when it comes to Carbery football.” 

2018 saw Carbery narrowly lose to UCC by a point in the opening round of the (old) senior championship knockout format. 

Twelve months later, another narrow loss to CIT preceded a new championship format in which colleges and divisions competed in a separate section to determine a Premier SFC quarter-final berth.

2022 was the year Tim Buckley and Carbery finally delivered. 

Overcoming Duhallow 0-16 to 0-15 in Páirc Uí Rinn, Buckley’s squad claimed the Tadhg Crowley Cup, their first piece of silverware since winning the 2004 Divisions/Colleges championship.

That win over Duhallow also cemented a place in the last eight of the Premier SFC, only to lose to Ballincollig. 

Last season, an agonising one-point loss to Duhallow saw Carbery prevented from building on their previous year’s progress.

For 2024, the West Cork set-up is seeded alongside Duhallow and UCC in the Bon Secours Divisions/Colleges section’s semi-finals. 

That trio will be joined in the last four by whoever emerges from Avondhu, Beara, Imokilly and Muskerry’s round-robin section.

Debate surrounding colleges and divisions’ presence in Cork football’s top tier will continue into next year and beyond.

Naturally, Tim Buckley is a supporter of the county’s unique footballing section and believes colleges and division’s have a role to play in future championships. 

Despite his positive outlook, Buckley believes some tweaking around the timing of the Divisions/Colleges section is needed.

In 2023, Duhallow overcame Carbery in their semi-final before taking on UCC in the Divisions/Colleges decider three days later. 

Twelve months prior, Carbery and Duhallow faced off in the section’s final a mere four days after coming through their respective semi-finals.

“I wouldn’t have a problem with the format of the 2024 Divisions/Colleges (section) but what I would have a problem with is if the semi-finals and final are played inside one week,” the former Carbery GAA football manager admitted.

“Last year, we had the situation where we were down to play on the Thursday night and the winners to play again on the Sunday.

“You also have to add in to the mix that (divisional) senior hurling is going on around the same time. 

"Some dual players could have ended up togging out for four senior games in seven days. 

"There is really no need for that.

“It is only a small misgiving. Fundamentally, what I like about the Divisions/Colleges section is that it gives the ordinary club player an opportunity to play Premier Senior football. 

"It would be great if the timing of these games could be tweaked a little bit and not have everything run off in seven mad days.” 

Watching on from afar next year, Tim Buckley can be satisfied with his legacy as Carbery’s footballers go in search of glory. 

The former Carbery manager also believes divisions and colleges should remain part of the Cork Premier SFC.

“Apart from it being a shop window for players who ‘might have missed the bus’, I see Carbery GAA as a stepping stone from club to inter-county,” Buckley added.

“The last two years has shown that in we (Carbery) had four lads on the Cork U20 football squad and two lads on the senior panel. 

"That’s a gateway I would like to see remain available and one of the main reasons I am still a strong advocate of the Divisions/Colleges football section.

“In terms of a personal highlight, winning the Tadhg Crowley Cup in 2022 stands out. 

"Turning the corner in 2021 was also an important moment thanks to the South West board’s help.”