Game that defined Garry Buckley was his league debut for City

Derry City 0 Cork City 1, Brandywell Stadium, September 7, 2012.

The game that defined me was my league debut. It kick-started my career.

Without that game, I mightn’t have gotten another opportunity. Without that game, who knows what would have happened.

Luckily, I got my opportunity and I took it. That was a catalyst for my career for Cork City.

It was early September of 2012. Back then we had a great under-19s team and there were a lot of us in the first team. There was talk of... ‘are we going to be kept on’... and this and that. 

I got an opportunity to play a game as there was a few injuries. I played in midfield up in Derry. I had just turned 19 at the time.

There was one or two other lads who were on the team who were great players...

and they were going out on loan, and fizzling away. It was kind of make-or-break time for me.

I actually scored the winning goal on my debut up in the Brandywell! I got my first professional contract out of that. From there then, it kicked on... I got a bit of confidence in myself more and I never looked back, really. That was a defining moment in my career because it could have gone either way then.

Tommy Dunne mightn’t have given me an opportunity or mightn’t have given me a chance. I always feel like that game, that was my opportunity and I took it.

It was 0-0 and I think I was playing defensive midfield with Colin Healy and Gearóid Morrissey. Shane Duggan was injured at the time.

Early in the second-half a corner came in. I remember Kevin Murray at the back post headed towards goal. But it landed in the six-yard box and I just headed it into the top corner. It was a mad feeling getting my first professional goal...and the winner in the end.

I actually had a great game overall, which was most pleasing for me. From there, I gained Tommy’s confidence and he knew that he could trust me.

You get opportunities in football and that was my one. I knew I had to take it and, thankfully, I did on the day.

Growing up, all I ever wanted to do was play for Cork City. My brother played for Cork City years before me and he wore the No 26 jersey as well. 

Dream

So, there was a bit of pride in that number. I had always gone to Cork City matches, even as a young teenager with my dad.

All I ever wanted to do was play for Cork City... even when I was playing for Leeds underage, I knew I wanted to leave when I was 16 or 17 and wanted to play for Cork City Youths. I wanted to go through that process. I was tunnel-visioned in that way... that is what I wanted to do.

Not just Tommy, but John Caulfield further kickstarted my career too at the time. When John came in, I was a bit of an unknown still. I had probably 30 or 40 appearances in the league, but John kind of gave me a kick... and made me from a good player, to a very good player. I always thank my managers for everything.

Also, the likes of Stuart Ashton, Paul Bowdren and John Cotter, they all played their part for me and I am hoping that I played my part for them too. To be honest, every minute was unbelievable. All I ever wanted to do was to play and win with Cork City, and I’ve done that and more than I ever thought.

When John Caulfield came in then, he really took it by the scruff of the neck... obviously went full-time and pushed the club on even more. Tommy was a very good coach I thought, and knew what he was talking about. 

A bit mad, but I suppose every manager has their mad traits. I really liked Tommy and got on well with him.

The club was going through a transition then, getting a bit of stability on and off the pitch. Everybody in the league wants to make Europe every year.

Realistically for us, it was more of a dream rather than an expectation. Tommy definitely consolidated the club. Obviously, it didn’t work out in the end for him.

But the club can definitely thank him for his services and what he did for the club, getting them up and staying up. The success that happened afterwards, he is definitely a part of that.