He played hurling with his local club Aghabullogue and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1890 until 1892.
Buckley, together with his team-mate Dan Drew, became the first players to win two All-Ireland winners' medals on the field of play.
[citation needed] Buckley first came to prominence on the inter-county scene with Cork as part of the Aghabullogue selection in 1890.
That year he lined out in his second provincial decider with All-Ireland champions Kerry providing the opposition once again.
The game was a controversial one as referee Dan Fraher changed his mind after initially awarding a goal to Cork.