In 1982 Buckley made his senior championship debut, just as Cork were about to return to the big time with a new team. That year he collected his first Munster medal following Cork's 5-31 to 3-6 drubbing of Waterford. The subsequent All-Ireland final pitted Cork against Kilkenny, with 'the Rebels' installed as the red-hot favourites. All did not go to plan as Kilkenny dominated. Buckley started at right wing-back, however, Christy Heffernan was the hero of the day as he scored two goals in a forty second spell just before half-time. Ger Fennelly captured a third goal in the second-half as Kilkenny completely trounced ‘the Rebels’ by 3-18 to 1-15.