Cork camogie powerhouse Libby Coppinger driving on after injury issues

Libby Coppinger has been part of the Cork camogie defensive set-up for most all of her time on the senior panel. 

The Kealkil lady has been playing with the Cork senior camogie team since 2016. Since then, she has collected four All-Ireland medals and two All-Star awards.

Her haul of silverware and honours is impressive, and hopefully on Sunday evening, she will have another All-Ireland medal to add to her collection.

Injury prevented her from playing a part on the pitch last year as Cork made it back-to-back titles, defeating Galway in a nail-biting finish, but she has battled back to be in the thick of the action as Cork bid for three in a row.

“It was hard last year to be looking in and not being able to tog out. 

It was mixed emotions, happy and sad and nerve-wracking sitting there as the girls battled to get over the line.

"But, it was great to win and to be there with them as part of it. The girls did an unbelievable job, but ya, it was hard to have to sit there and watch and not be able to do anything and you just feel a little bit helpless.” 

2025 has seen her return to action and she has worked hard to get there with huge support from the Cork backroom team.

“It is great to be back and I am delighted to be part of it again and just trying to do my best. It was a gradual process, you’re not rushing and the management managed it well, and it was a gradual return to full fitness.

"We have a good set-up and I did have a few niggles as it progressed, but they managed it well and thankfully now all is good again.” 

Securing a first Very League Division 1A medal was another big step for Coppinger and most of the Cork team. Only the Mackey twins, Pamela and Katriona, and Ashling Thompson, were involved the last time Cork had won it 12 years ago. 

Galway again provided the final opponents and Coppinger knows they will again be tough on Sunday.

“Galway provided tough opposition in the league final and they are a good side.

We know each other well by now and they are a hungry side.

"We will be figuring out how to stop them but no doubt they will be doing the same with us. 

"In the league final there was never much between us, but we did manage to get to grips with them in the second half and ran out winners, but they were strong. 

SAVAGE

"We know they will again bring a savage test. They have excellent hurlers and it is going to an absolute battle to the finish, but were aware of it and we will have to be ready for it.” 

Libby knows the quality of the opposition well.

“They are strong all over the pitch, they have an excellent free-taker in Carrie Dolan and we will have to be disciplined. There is never much between us, but hopefully, we will come out the right side of it.” 

The heartbreak of having to sit out all of 2024 still hurts but the spirit and determination is as strong as ever.

“We are up for it and focused and we are delighted to be there again and we will do everything we can to retain the title on Sunday."