Tim Buckley enjoying new role within Carbery GAA

He has enjoyed success patrolling the sidelines, now he is enjoying success at the top table.

Tim Buckley is in his first year of PRO of the Carbery GAA board having made a big impression in charge of the Dohenys’ footballers and the Carbery senior football team. His six-year reign ended in late 2023 at the helm of the divisional footballers with the highlight getting the team into the Cork Premier SFC proper two years ago after winning the Tadhg Crowley Cup.

It’s a big change of scenery for Buckley. Many people were expecting him to put the feet up this year after a long stint managing teams.

“It’s certainly challenging. It’s my first role in administration,” the Dunmanway native says.

“I am learning as I go on really but I am lucky that I have a great group around me in the Carbery GAA board who have been teaching me and ironing out a few wrinkles that would appear when I began the job. When I left the Carbery senior football role after we were beaten by Duhallow, I was approached by the Carbery board to get involved as the new PRO.

“It was something that always intrigued me and probably frightened me as well but I just decided to go with it and I am so happy that I made the decision. There are so many strands to being a PRO nowadays compared to before. The social media side of things is absolutely massive now but to be honest, it’s probably easier when you get your feet under the table so to speak.

“It’s all about promoting the name of the club or division that you're representing and in this case it’s Carbery GAA. It’s all about putting the name forward in the best way possible and showing people what we are about.” 

Buckley is looking forward to watching Carbery this year under their new manager Colm Aherne. They face Muskerry in the semi-final of the McCarthy Insurance Group divisions/colleges section of the Premier SFC on Friday in Ovens at 7.30pm. Duhallow meet UCC in Mallow in the other last four encounter also on Friday with the same throw in time. The winners of those games will go into the final with a place in the championship proper on the line.

“Colm has a lot of experience down here in West Cork managing sides,” he said.

“It’s all about getting lads together and when I approached Colm to take on the job, I knew he was the perfect fit. He has a very strong management team with him and he has put his own stamp on the team. Colm has inherited a very strong panel but he also has a very keen eye on players who are up and coming. I would like to think he can put his own personal stamp on Carbery for the years ahead. I am very excited about that.

“I think the seeded divisional sides are at a disadvantage. It’s ideal when you can get games against teams at your own ability. Muskerry have played one game alright but Carbery haven’t played any competitive game so far. Momentum is key. Carbery lost at the semi-final stage last year so hopefully they can get over the line against Muskerry. It would be great to get back into the championship proper as it will only improve the division going forward.” Buckley concluded.