LIBBY Coppinger hopes there is still a future for dual players at inter-county level, but admits it’s become harder than ever to juggle both.

The St Colum’s woman has played camogie and football for Cork since 2016, but after a decade of committing to both codes, Coppinger has decided to focus on camogie only at county level in 2026.

It was a decision that the three-time Camogie All-Star didn’t want to make, but giving her all to both inter-county set-ups in a more condensed season has grown more difficult and demanding.

Last season Cork had three dual players who lined out for both camogie and football teams, with Coppinger, Hannah Looney and Aoife Healy all in action. But all three have made huge decisions for the 2026 season – Coppinger is putting her full focus on Cork camogie, while Looney and Healy have both signed AFLW deals in Australia. So, it puts the future of dual players at the highest level in doubt.

‘I’d love to say that the dual player will continue on at county level,’ Coppinger told The Southern Star.

‘At underage you have so many girls playing both, and in clubs all over the county and country there are dual players too, so I’d love to see it continue.

‘But at inter-county level it’s very hard to do, and you need to have people around you who can help make it possible – and I was lucky that I had.

‘I hope it’s not the end of it, and I know it’s gone from three dual players to none now, but there are plenty of talented players coming through.

‘Maybe it has become too hard, but I hope it hasn’t. I hope it’s not the end.’

Coppinger’s decision to focus on camogie is a boost to Ger Manley’s set-up, as the Rebels look to bounce back from the All-Ireland final loss to Galway. But the news is a big blow to Joe Carroll’s footballers as Coppinger is one of the most experienced players involved.