Buckley made his Munster A debut on 17 December 2011, coming on as a replacement against Moseley in the British and Irish Cup.[1] In March 2014, Buckley signed a development contract with the senior Munster squad for the 2014–15 season.[2] Buckley was nominated for the John McCarthy Award for Munster Academy Player of the Year on 1 May 2014,[3] an award Buckley won on 8 May 2014.[4]
He made his debut for Munster on 5 September 2014, starting at Number 8 in the 14-13 opening 2014–15 Pro12 defeat against Edinburgh.[5] Buckley signed a one-year contract extension with Munster in January 2015.[6] In May 2016, it was announced that Buckley would leave Munster at the end of the 2015-16 season.[7]
Buckley joined English RFU Championship side Nottingham ahead of the 2016–17 season, and later extended his contract with the club.[8] Buckley was also invited to play for Wasps during their opening fixture of the 2018–19 Premiership Rugby Cup in October 2018.[9][10]
Buckley joined another RFU Championship club, Ealing Trailfinders, ahead of the 2019–20 season.[11]