Rena Buckley is an Irish sportswoman who has achieved great success in both ladies’ football and camogie. She played at senior level for the Cork county teams in both sports and has represented Munster and Ireland in various competitions.
Buckley has had an incredibly decorated career, winning 18 All-Ireland winners medals between 2005 and 2017. This makes her one of the most successful sportspeople in Gaelic games. She captained Cork to victory in the All-Ireland Senior Ladies’ Football Championship in 2012 and the All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championship in 2017, becoming the first player to captain Cork to both titles.
She has also been named as an All Star on eleven occasions, further highlighting her exceptional talent and contribution to the game. In 2015, Buckley and her teammate Briege Corkery were joint winners of the Irish Times/ Sport Ireland Sportswoman of the Year Award, recognizing their outstanding achievements.
Buckley’s sporting career began in her hometown of Berrings, Inniscarra. She attended St. Aloysius School in Cork before going on to study at University College Dublin, where she gained a BSc in Physiotherapy and Performance Science. She later returned to UCD to complete a MSc in Sports Physiotherapy. In 2019, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by University College Cork.
At club level, Buckley plays ladies’ Gaelic football for Donoughmore and camogie for Inniscarra. She has also represented UCD GAA in both sports during her time at university. She has been a key player in their success, featuring in multiple finals and winning titles such as the Ashbourne Cup and O’Connor Cup.
In addition to her achievements in ladies’ football, Buckley has had an equally impressive career in camogie. She played for the Cork county camogie team from 2004 to 2018, winning seven All-Ireland Senior Camogie Championships during that time. She captained the team to victory in the 2017 final.
A highly accomplished and respected athlete in both ladies’ football and camogie. Her numerous accolades and contributions to the sport make her a true legend in Gaelic games.
