The wheel has almost turned full circle for Denis Buckley. Buckley had turned 12 earlier in the week of his mascot appearance for Connacht. Back then sponsors Bank of Ireland used to present each mascot with a bank account with €100 in it. The late Tom Forde, whose son Cathal is now an established centre with Connacht, made the presentation afterwards to Buckley. “It’s a very proud club and a proud area and some great people that are behind all that,” said Buckley.

Source: Irish Examiner January 24, 2026 15:30 UTC