Mary Buckley was a cornerstone of Leeds AFC, her contribution to Cork sport will be cherished
At the Leeds anniversary in 2007, back, Tim Sheehan, Tony Fitzgerald, Cork AUL, Jason Yelverton and John Quirke, front, Marguerite Cooney, Mary Buckley, Phil Fogerty and Mick Hourihan.
The Cork football community has been deeply saddened by the recent passing of Mary Buckley, a founding member of Leeds AFC, following a brief illness.
Mary’s contribution to grassroots football in Cork, particularly in the Ballyvolane and Glenthorn areas, was immense and enduring. She will be fondly remembered by her eight children, 21 grandchildren, and the many friends, players, and families whose lives she touched through football.
Mary’s journey with schoolboy soccer began in the mid-1980s, a time when opportunities for young players in the northside of Cork were limited. Her sons had been playing with Blackpool Celtic Schoolboys, but when the club folded in 1985, the future of many young footballers was uncertain.
It was her son Dónal, just 16 years old at the time, who approached the Leeds junior team, which was associated with the family’s business, The Unicorn Bar. From that conversation, a new chapter in Cork football history began.
In January 1986, Leeds Schoolboys AFC was officially formed, initially entering an U12 team to cater for boys in the Glenthorn and Dublin Hill areas. Their first match took place the following February. Because Dónal was underage, the club required adult officers, and so Mary stepped forward, becoming the first secretary of Leeds AFC. This was the start of nearly four decades of dedication to the club she helped build from the ground up.
Mary was involved in every aspect of Leeds AFC’s development. From committee work to fundraising, organising trips, and even driving teams to matches – sometimes two or three times a day.
Her late husband John Buckley, who passed away in 1999, served as President, while Dónal remained an officer for many years, making the Buckley family synonymous with Leeds AFC.
Mary played a key role in organising memorable trips, including a visit to Leeds United and later to an international tournament in Portsmouth, experiences that left lasting impressions on players and parents alike.
One of the club’s most significant milestones came when Mary and her fellow committee members secured a 99 year sporting lease from Cork City Council for the current grounds near Park Court, Ballyvolane. Around this time, Ballyvolane Schoolboys merged with Leeds to become Leeds/Ballyvolane Schoolboys AFC, strengthening the club’s community roots and player base.
Success on the pitch soon followed. After winning at CSL Premier level and reaching SFAI national finals, Leeds received an invitation to the prestigious Milk Cup International Tournament in Coleraine. The team, which included future professional George O’Callaghan, opened the tournament against Manchester United’s U14 side in front of 4,000 spectators.
The moment became even more memorable when Sir Alex Ferguson visited the Leeds dressing room to wish the players well. Matches against Everton, Norwich City, Ballymena United, Airdrie, and Bayer Leverkusen followed, with O’Callaghan finishing as joint Golden Boot winner alongside David Healy.
The club’s crowning achievement came in the 1995-'96 season, when Leeds won the Troy Cup (SFAI National U13 Cup) under the joint management of Dónal Buckley and Frankie Coleman. The squad included standout talents such as Kenneth Coleman, Leon McSweeney, and Kevin Murray.
That season, Leeds achieved a remarkable clean sweep, winning CSL Cups at U12, U13, U14, U15, and U16 levels in addition to the Troy Cup.
dedicated a four-page supplement to the achievement, and rival finalists Blarney Street United even applauded the Troy Cup winners onto the pitch at Turner’s Cross.
The following season, Leeds repeated the feat by winning league titles at every age group from U12 to U16.
Despite the success, Mary always believed in participation over prestige. Second teams were regularly entered to ensure every boy had the chance to play.
When her daughters Noelle and Catherine expressed an interest in football, Mary helped establish the club’s first girls’ team. Her youngest daughter, Antoinette, even played with the boys up to the age of 11 before moving to Wilton United. One of Mary’s proudest moments came when Antoinette earned Ireland U17 honours, a fitting reward for Mary’s efforts to promote opportunities for girls in the game.
Mary’s dedication did not go unnoticed. She became the first female officer in the Cork Schoolboys League and later served as the club’s treasurer for many years. Her election as President of Leeds AFC was an honour she cherished deeply.
Mary Buckley was more than an administrator – she was a trailblazer, mentor, and community figure who helped shape the lives of countless young footballers. The name 'Mary B' will forever be associated with the spirit, values, and success of Leeds AFC.
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