Keith Buckley: 'It felt like I was away longer than a year but I'm very happy to be back with Bohs'
- Andy Harte
- Sat, Feb 11 2023
Keith Buckley is ready to pick things up where he left off with a new look Bohemians after spending the last year abroad in Australia.
Buckley re-joined Bohs alongside a number of fresh faces including manager Declan Devine who wasted no time in making the central-midfielder his captain.
It will be a second stint as captain for the 30-year old and his first time as a full-time footballer which is something Buckley is relishing.
“We’re full time now and it’s my first time ever doing it,” Buckley told extratime.com.
“It is great getting up in the morning and getting to play football as our job. We are very lucky people to get to do this for a living.”
The Gypsies stalwart amassed over 300 appearances for the club before his time away which included leading his side to four famous wins in the 2021/22 Europa Conference League qualifiers.
It was a successful period for Buckley under former manager Keith Long but the new man in charge at Dalymount has already made a great impression around the club.
“Declan is full of energy and full of life. Every morning he comes in high-fiving us but he is very serious too and is a man of his word.
“If you’re not pushing for your best, he won’t play you.
“If you don’t give everything then you won’t play, it doesn’t matter if you are a young player or the captain.”
One player at the Phibsborough club who could never be accused of shying away from their best is shot-stopper, James Talbot.
The 25-year-old was out of action for most of last season after suffering a shoulder injury while training with the Ireland senior squad.
Talbot has re-signed with Bohemians and Buckley was quick to praise the keeper for his attitude following the tough time on the sidelines.
“With James signing back, it’s great,” he adds.
“I know he was out for a period of time last year but he is like a new man around the place. It’s brilliant to have him there and to be training full time with all of us.”
Buckley will lead his side out at Dalymount for the first time since 2021 against newly promoted Cork City next Friday and he is happy with how pre-season has gone before the big night.
“The squad has come together nicely but I know there are areas we need to get in. We have put in a lot of extra sessions and I’ve been loving it.”
