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Former Munster and Ireland rugby prop goes back to his hurling roots

Published 18:36 10 Jul 2016 BST

Updated 16:51 20 Jul 2016 BST

Patrick McCarry
Former Munster and Ireland rugby prop goes back to his hurling roots

Homesport

There is a picture of former Munster and Ireland prop Tony Buckley that shows why rugby coaches were so keen to poach him from hurling.

Two days after his 13th birthday, in 1993, Buckley posed with his Newmarket GAA teammates. Tony Buckley Pic: Newmarket GAA He was the forward no-one else fancied marking. He could have forged a fine career as a full forward for Cork but rugby came calling. He started playing professionally for Connacht and earned a move back to Munster in 2005. He was part of that successful Munster squad that won two Heineken Cups and was eventually rewarded for his form by an Ireland call up, and 25 Test caps. Buckley finished up his rugby-playing days with Sale Sharks before retiring in 2014. Buckley still has that competitive edge and we were delighted to see him re-embracing his hurling roots: https://twitter.com/BJRYAN1977/status/752175942328578048 'Ah, sure, you can mark him if ye want.' Thanks to Barry John Ryan for sending this our way. If you have any pieces of content you'd like to share with us, hit us up on Facebook or Twitter or send us an email at editorial@SportsJOE.ie. SNAPCHAT

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All-Ireland Hurling Championship

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Munster Rugby

Tony Buckley

Former Munster and Ireland rugby prop goes back to his hurling roots