THREE is the magic number for Libby Coppinger.

The St Colum’s club woman collected her third Camogie All-Star in as many seasons at the 2025 PwC Camogie All-Stars in Croke Park, underlining her remarkable consistency at the highest level with Cork.

Given that Libby missed the 2024 championship with a serious hamstring injury, this latest accolade reinforces her status as one of the best in the business.

Four of her Cork team-mates were also honoured on the 2025 PwC Camogie All-Stars team. Courcey Rovers’ Saoirse McCarthy claimed a fourth award in-a-row, Ashling Thompson won her fifth, Amy O’Connor her fourth, and Laura Hayes her third.

Unsurprisingly, Libby’s uncle, and St Colum’s camogie coach, Tony Coppinger, was full of praise.

Libby Coppinger accepts her award from Camogie Association Uachtaran Brian Molloy, and Marie Coady, PwC Markets Partner. (Photo: Bryan Keane/Inpho)

‘This is great for Libby, especially after coming back from a serious injury. It was touch and go whether it would heal properly after surgery, so getting back fit – never mind returning to the set-up – was a massive achievement,’ he told The Southern Star.

‘Libby is part of a serious Cork team. They’re serial winners, and it was brilliant to see her pick up another award on Saturday night.’

The 2024 season proved frustrating for Libby as she missed the championship campaign while Cork went on to defend the O’Duffy Cup and secure back-to-back All-Irelands. Add in her involvement with the Cork ladies footballers, and the demands on this dual star are immense.

‘It’s hard enough to get on one panel, let alone two, and to be as consistent as she is,’ Tony added.

‘Her consistency is impressive, and she has always tried to maintain that standard.’

Cork All-Stars Ashling Thompson, Libby Coppinger, Amy O'Connor, Saoirse McCarthy, and Siobhan Hayes accepting the award for Laura Hayes. (Photo: Dan Clohessy/INPHO)

In Kealkill, Libby is the local hero. Whenever she gets home, young players flock to her, fully aware there’s an inspiration on their doorstep.

‘We don’t see Libby as much as we’d like because of her commitments across both codes. But when she is home, there’s a real buzz. The kids love seeing her. They’ll say “I saw Libby”, and it’s a big thing for any small club like ours,’ Tony said.

Beyond being a role model, she’s also a joy to coach. Her willingness to learn, even as a youngster, laid the foundations for her rise.

Enjoying the PwC Camogie All-Star Awards in Croke Park were, from left, Tony Coppinger, Tim Coppinger, Maureen Coppinger, Kenneth Mills, All-Star winner Libby Coppinger, Maggie Coppinger, Katie Coppinger, Deirdre Wiseman and Breda Coppinger.

‘Libby was like a sponge when she was younger, always listening,’ Tony recalled.

‘She was fortunate to make the Cork minor panel when John Middleton was in charge 12 years ago. That definitely stood to her when she got on the panel at 17.

‘She loves training. She’s a joy to coach and is very vocal now, which helps the younger girls and us as coaches. She pushes on the rest of the players. Having someone with a dressing-room full of medals, including All-Irelands, brings huge positivity to the club.’

Could more honours lie ahead? Her coach certainly believes so.

Four-time All-Star Saoirse McCarthy at the awards with, from left, Aoife Walsh, Cella McCarthy, Leonard McCarthy, and Pascal Robinson.

‘At any age – she’s 28 now – the biggest thing is staying injury-free. If she does, there’s definitely more in her. I can see her playing for quite a while yet.’

Elsewhere, All-Ireland champions Galway collected eight All-Star awards, with the remaining two going to Tipperary and Waterford.

The PwC Camogie All-Stars 2025: Sarah Healy (Galway); Shauna Healy (Galway), Libby Coppinger (Cork), Dervla Higgins (Galway); Mairéad Eviston (Tipperary), Ciara Hickey (Galway), Laura Hayes (Cork); Aoife Donohue (Galway), Ashling Thompson (Cork); Saoirse McCarthy (Cork), Beth Carton (Waterford), Ailish O’Reilly (Galway); Niamh Mallon (Galway), Carrie Dolan (Galway), Amy O’Connor (Cork).