Latest news with #Coppinger
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
‘We were a bit rusty' – Cork boss Ger Manley gives reason to slow semi-final start after four week break
LIBBY Coppinger was delighted that Cork could weather a first-half storm to see off Waterford. The Rebelettes sealed their place in the TG4 All-Ireland camogie final for a fifth straight year on Saturday with a Advertisement 2 Orlaith Mullins' impact off the bench helped secure Cork's place in the final 2 The 57-year-old was appointed the Cork camogie manager in December 2023 But the margin of victory was a tad harsh on the Déise — with But Cork were in control of the second half and Brianne O'Regan made two point-blank saves from Katrina Mackey and Orlaith Cahalane. That was after a tight opening period — with Cork trailing by a point at the break. And Coppinger — who was wary of a fast Waterford start — said: 'We were under no illusion that they were going to do that. Semi-finals are for winning and thankfully we did.' Advertisement Read more on GAA Niamh Rockett and Beth Carton shone in the early stages as Waterford hit Cork hard. Carton finished with 1-4 from play — and 1-3 came in the first half. After some brilliant work from Mairéad O'Brien sent Carton through for a goal in the 15th minute, Mick Boland's outfit led by four. But their lead was cut to one by the interval as Cork showed signs of life despite trailing 1-7 to 0-9. And Coppinger admitted Cork's four-week break before the semi-finals could have led to some ring rust. Advertisement Most read in GAA Hurling She explained: 'We've had a bit of a break and training has been tough. 'But it's nothing compared to the Championship so you can try and be as prepared as you can be. But that throw-in is just different. David Clifford's son adorably hijacks RTE interview after dad dominates All-Ireland final 'We knew they were going to bring everything but I think we settled and got our game going in the second half. Waterford were working really hard but we were probably trying to hit the forwards too quickly.' Cork were much improved in the second half and gradually edged ahead before Mullins' late heroics. Advertisement Coppinger added: 'I think we carried it a bit more in the second half before taking the shot on and hitting it. 'We worked that bit harder in the second half too and showed some patience. 'You've got to wear a team like that down but even in the end, they were still coming at us hard. You're still up the walls if you're up by one or if you're up by ten.' SUPER-SUB But Mullins' cameo came as no surprise to Coppinger. Advertisement She said: 'We've been saying it all year that we have a serious squad. And Orlaith Mullins is another name popping up and putting her hand up for a jersey. 'She's someone you don't want to be marking in training and she did the business when she came on, so we're delighted.' MAGIC MACKEY It was a pleasing day at the office for boss Ger Manley. And the Limerick man had some special words of praise for Mackey — who has not missed a season since making her debut in 2009. She was lining out alongside her twin Pamela, who made her senior bow that season. Pamela took a year out in recent times before returning to fray. Advertisement And Manley said: 'We were a bit rusty after our break. But give Waterford the credit, they brought a big game to us. 'I thought we finished the first half a bit better and I thought we were very good in the second half once we got going. 'Katrina has been injured quite a bit and she is only back over the last two weeks. She's a class act. 'We call her the GOAT. She'd be good at any sport that she'd play. She's a very good finisher. Give her an opportunity and she will finish it. Advertisement 'I thought some of the scores we got in the second half were well worked and I'm delighted to get to the final again.' IN FIFTH FINAL IN-A-ROW But the focus has already turned to the final against Galway on August 10 at Croke Park. And that is probably why there were some Cork players on the pitch an hour after the whistle — just trying to take in their latest big win. Coppinger explained: 'We'll enjoy the dressing room. But as soon as we're leaving here, the focus is on two weeks' time. Advertisement 'It's such a quick turnaround now and you just can't take anything for granted. We'll enjoy a few minutes with everyone and have a bit of a celebration in the dressing room. Then it's about putting our heads on and starting our recovery.' SCORERS — Cork: S McCarthy 0-7, 4f, O Mullins 1-2, K Mackey 0-4, A O'Connor 0-3, 2f, 1 45; E Murphy 0-2, S McCartan 0-2, L Hayes 0-1. Waterford: B Carton 1-4, N Rockett 0-5, 3f, L Bray 0-1, A Flynn 0-1.
RTÉ News
28-06-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Cork's Libby Coppinger hopeful 'integration will happen' soon
Libby Coppinger has been defending her patch as full-back for most of her near decade on the Cork senior camogie team. The four All-Irelands and two All-Star awards accumulated since being called up in 2016 and establishing herself the following season provide irrefutable evidence that she is in the finest traditions of Cork full-backs, though injury prevented her from playing a part on the pitch last year. Think resolute, think resilient, with not a dream of taking a backward step. A sure touch makes her the ideal blend of silk and steel. Coppinger also provides an invaluable defensive shield in her professional life, as a depository officer with Alter Domus, a funds services company. "When a fund is set up, there needs to be a depository appointed to it," Coppinger explains. "We're not involved in the investments or anything like that, but protecting the investor. It's kind of like a version of an audit. We're just ensuring everything's done properly and all the rules are being followed." A pretty significant pivot in 2021 brought the 28-year-old to this point, having graduated in public health. Life is, after all, one long journey of self-discovery, where the learning never stops. There was never any doubt about Coppinger's insatiable desire to wear the Blood and Bandage, however. West Cork would not be a traditional camogie stronghold but nobody told the girl from Kealkill and with St Colum's providing a steady foundation, she soared. While playing further up the field for the Rebels with the big ball and regularly getting among the scores, Coppinger's job description with a camán has always been about minding the house. As the game has evolved, so too have the full-back's challenges, to an extent. The job description remains the same. "I think as a whole in camogie, the skill is gone phenomenal, and there's some excellent hurlers out there. As a back, you're going out to mark your player, and there's obviously times where there's sweepers and everything involved. But you just have to try win your battle with the forward. So that hasn't changed. Just make sure they don't score. "I think maybe there's a bit more licence to do a bit of hurling yourself. Before, you were probably just there to stop them playing. Now you're playing a bit yourself as well. We talk about the forwards being the first line of the defence so the same way, we're the first line of attack. You're trying to give the ball to the player in the best position out the field. So hurling-wise, just in general, everyone's kind of gone up a level. "I suppose possession has become such a big part of the game now, whereas before, both sides might just try and get the ball down the field and clear their lines. So, there are more of those runs inside (rather than standing under a dropping ball). And they're making a couple of runs. You're trying to track them everywhere. So you have to be concentrating the whole game, make sure you're not ball-watching. You might not touch the ball as much and to be honest, it's nearly easier to be concentrating on the game when you're on the ball the whole time. So that mental part of it is always there." Another constant is that improvement and evolution continue to be the watchwords of the Coppinger code, but they are at the core of the Rebels' success too. 'We had been going for the League the last few years, so it was nice to actually get over the line this year' There are always new peaks to scale, in terms of KPIs within games and through a season. And while the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Championship is the overriding priority in every term, securing a first Very League Division 1A medal had high value for Coppinger and most of her equally garlanded teammates. Only the Mackey twins and Ashling Thompson had been involved the last time Cork had won it, a dozen years ago. "We were disappointed after our showing when we played Galway in the last round so we were very grateful to get to play them again just a few weeks later, when a cup was on the line as well. So it was good to win it. "I think we got a lot from the league, players-wise, building, people getting game time and everything like that. We had been going for the league the last few years, so it was nice to actually get over the line this year. We're happy out to have the medal." Coppinger was her usual authoritative self, having missed the Leesiders' run to a second straight All-Ireland last year with a Grade 3C hamstring tear. And while it did make her think about the mileage she has built up over the years playing both codes for Cork, she could not bring herself to lighten her load just yet. Meanwhile, she hopes integration of the Gaelic games associations will take place in 2027, as promised, and will aid those that want to play both codes, particularly at club level. "I probably did think about playing the two more than ever before. I guess it was about getting the body back to the standard it was at but I felt this year, I kind of just had to give it a go. There's no point in throwing in the towel before you even try. "But unfortunately, it's just getting that bit harder. I know it ended my season last year, and you just want to park it but it still carries over, unfortunately, to the following year more than you'd like it to. But I'm happy to go another year. The decision is closer than I'd like it to be, but we're gonna keep going for as long as we can anyway. "I don't really know where we're at, at the minute with the integration. When we heard about it, you're happy to hear it but it's kind of, 'Will it happen before the end of my playing career?' "Obviously, there's three of us (as dual players with Cork – Hannah Looney and Aoife Healy the others), and there's more girls in other counties, and we're kind of, I suppose, highlighting it at an inter-county level, but it happens all over the place with clubs. So I would just like to see more togetherness and communication throughout that. "It's our choice to play at inter-county level, and that makes a bit more complicated. But the amount of girls playing dual all over the country, it's great to see, and we don't want to discourage that, especially when so many girls are walking away from sport as it is. "So hopefully integration will happen and it will be beneficial to us all." A minor setback did rule her out of the early stages of this year's championship but she was back in situ for the defeat of Clare last weekend and is looking forward to building on that at Chadwicks Wexford Park this afternoon (2pm). "Nothing's been perfect yet, but we're kind of building every game and trying to get through it and get to that semi-final spot and then reassess after that. But we still have Wexford coming, so all eyes are on that. You're not looking further ahead at all. "There's been a few injuries and stuff along the way for different players throughout our panel. But thankfully, we do have good depth there, and everyone's kind of fighting for that jersey, which creates good competition. "We're really just trying to go after our own performances in games, and you hope that the result will take care of itself then. You're trying to raise your standards all the time. You might win by a few scores or whatever, but might have been the prettiest. So you're always trying to review the game and learn from it. And we've been doing that throughout the year." The headline news? There's more to come. From Coppinger, and from Cork.
Irish Examiner
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Dual load getting heavier, but Cork ace Coppinger can't help but carry on
Libby Coppinger has been defending her patch as full-back for most of her near decade on the Cork senior camogie team. The four All-Irelands and two All-Star awards accumulated since being called up in 2016 provide irrefutable evidence that she is in the finest traditions of Cork full-backs, though injury prevented her from playing a part on the pitch last year. Think resolute, think resilient. A sure touch makes her the ideal blend of silk and steel. Coppinger also provides an invaluable defensive shield in her professional life, as a depository officer with Alter Domus, a funds services company. 'When a fund is set up, there needs to be a depository appointed to it,' Coppinger explains. 'We're not involved in the investments or anything like that, but protecting the investor. It's kind of like a version of an audit. We're just ensuring everything's done properly and all the rules are being followed.' A pretty significant pivot in 2021 brought the 28-year-old to this point, having graduated in public health. Life is, after all, one long journey of self-discovery, where the learning never stops. There was never any doubt about Coppinger's insatiable desire to wear the Blood and Bandage, however. West Cork would not be a traditional camogie stronghold but nobody told the girl from Kealkill and with St Colum's providing a steady foundation, she soared. While playing further up the field for the Rebels with the big ball and regularly getting among the scores, Coppinger's job description with a camán has always been about minding the house. As the game has evolved, so too have the full-back's challenges, to an extent. The job description remains the same. 'I think as a whole in camogie, the skill is gone phenomenal, and there's some excellent hurlers out there. As a back, you're going out to mark your player, and there's obviously times where there's sweepers and everything involved. But you just have to try win your battle with the forward. So that hasn't changed. Just make sure they don't score! 'I think maybe there's a bit more licence to do a bit of hurling yourself. Before, you were probably just there to stop them playing. Now you're playing a bit yourself as well. We talk about the forwards being the first line of the defence so the same way, we're the first line of attack. You're trying to give the ball to the player in the best position out the field. So hurling-wise, just in general, everyone's kind of gone up a level. 'I suppose possession has become such a big part of the game now, whereas before, both sides might just try and get the ball down the field and clear their lines. So, there are more of those runs inside (rather than standing under a dropping ball). And they're making a couple of runs. You're trying to track them everywhere. So you have to be concentrating the whole game, make sure you're not ball-watching. You might not touch the ball as much and to be honest, it's nearly easier to be concentrating on the game when you're on the ball the whole time. So that mental part of it is always there.' Improvement and evolution continue to be the watchwords of the Coppinger code, but they are at the core of the Rebels' success too. There are always new peaks to scale, in terms of KPIs within games and through a season. And while the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Championship is the overriding priority in every term, securing a first Very League Division 1A medal had high value for Coppinger and most of her equally garlanded teammates. Only the Mackey twins and Ashling Thompson had been involved the last time Cork had won it, a dozen years ago. 'We were disappointed after our showing when we played Galway in the last round so we were very grateful to get to play them again just a few weeks later, when a cup was on the line as well. So it was good to win it. 'I think we got a lot from the League, players-wise, building, people getting game time and everything like that. We had been going for the League the last few years, so it was nice to actually get over the line this year. We're happy out to have the medal.' Coppinger was her usual authoritative self, having missed the Leesiders' run to a second straight All-Ireland last year with a Grade 3C (very serious) hamstring tear. And while it did make her think about the mileage she has built up over the years playing both codes for Cork, she could not bring herself to lighten her load just yet. Meanwhile, she hopes integration of the Gaelic games associations will take place in 2027, as promised, and will aid those that want to play both codes, particularly at club level. 'I probably did think about playing the two more than ever before. I guess it was about getting the body back to the standard it was at but I felt this year, I kind of just had to give it a go. There's no point in throwing in the towel before you even try. 'But unfortunately, it's just getting that bit harder. I know it ended my season last year, and you just want to park it but it still carries over, unfortunately, to the following year more than you'd like it to. But I'm happy to go another year. The decision is closer than I'd like it to be, but we're gonna keep going for as long as we can anyway. 'I don't really know where we're at, at the minute with the integration. When we heard about it, you're happy to hear it but it's kind of, 'Will it happen before the end of my playing career?' 'Obviously, there's three of us (as dual players with Cork – Hannah Looney and Aoife Healy the others), and there's more girls in other counties, and we're kind of, I suppose, highlighting it at a an inter county level, but it happens all over the place with clubs. So I would just like to see more togetherness and communication throughout that. 'It's our choice to play at inter-county level, and that makes a bit more complicated. But the amount of girls playing dual all over the country, it's great to see, and we don't want to discourage that, especially when so many girls are walking away from sport as it is. 'So hopefully integration will happen and it will be beneficial to us all.' A minor setback did rule her out of the early stages of this year's Championship but she was back in situ for the defeat of Clare last weekend and is looking forward to building on that at Chadwicks Wexford Park this afternoon (2pm). 'Nothing's been perfect yet, but we're kind of building every game and trying to get through it and get to that semi-final spot and then reassess after that. But we still have Wexford coming, so all eyes are on that. You're not looking further ahead at all. 'There's been a few injuries and stuff along the way for different players throughout our panel. But thankfully, we do have good depth there, and everyone's kind of fighting for that jersey, which creates good competition. 'We're really just trying to go after our own performances in games, and you hope that the result will take care of itself then. You're trying to raise your standards all the time. You might win by a few scores or whatever, but might have been the prettiest. So you're always trying to review the game and learn from it. And we've been doing that throughout the year.' The headline news? There's more to come. From Coppinger, and from Cork.
The Irish Sun
28-06-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Libby Coppinger warns rivals that Cork ‘building every game' as they continue pursuit of All-Ireland camogie title
LIBBY COPPINGER reckons Cork have yet to put in a perfect performance this year — but they are getting close. The Very League champions have hammered Advertisement A trip to next up for the Rebel camogie stars — and full-back Coppinger believes they are starting to click in their bid for a three-in-a-row triumph. The two-time All-Star said: 'Nothing's been perfect yet but we're kind of building every game and trying to get through it and get to that semi-final spot and then reassess after that. 'But we still have Wexford coming, so all eyes are on that. You're not looking further ahead. 'There's been a few injuries and stuff along the way for different players throughout our panel. But thankfully, we do have good depth there and everyone's kind of fighting for that jersey , which creates good competition. Advertisement Read More on Camogie 'We're really just trying to go after our own performances in games and you hope that the result will take care of itself then. 'You're trying to raise your standards all the time. You might win by a few scores or whatever but it might not have been the prettiest. 'So you're always trying to review the game and learn from it. And we've been doing that throughout the year.' Advertisement Most read in GAA Hurling She plays further up the field for the county's football team but she knows her job description when there is a hurl in her hand. Coppinger added: 'I think as a whole in camogie, the skill is gone phenomenal, and there's some excellent hurlers out there. GAA legend TJ Reid's wife Niamh and daughter wear shorts in support of camogie stars 'As a back, you're going out to mark your player and there's obviously times where there's sweepers and everything involved. 'But you just have to try win your battle with the forward. So that hasn't changed. Just make sure they don't score! Advertisement 'I think maybe there's a bit more licence to do a bit of 'We talk about the forwards being the first line of the defence so the same way, we're the first line of attack. 'You're trying to give the ball to the player in the best position out the field. So hurling-wise, everyone's kind of gone up a level. Possession has become such a big part of the game now, whereas before, both sides might just try and get the ball down the field and clear their lines. So, there are more of those runs inside. 'You're trying to track them everywhere. So you have to be concentrating the whole game, make sure you're not ball-watching. Advertisement 'You might not touch the ball as much and to be honest, it's nearly easier to be concentrating on the game when you're on the ball the whole time. So that mental part of it is always there.' MEDAL GEAR SOLID While winning another Championship is now the team's No 1 goal, securing a first Division 1A medal back in April was a priority too. Only the Mackey twins, Pamela and Katrina, and Ashling Thompson had been involved the last time Cork had won it, a dozen years ago. Coppinger said: 'We were disappointed after our showing when we played Advertisement 'So it was good to win it. I think we got a lot from the league, players-wise, building, people getting game-time and everything like that. 'We'd been going for the league the last few years so it was nice to actually get over the line this year. We're happy out to have the medal.' Coppinger, first called up in 2016, is back to her usual authoritative self — having missed the Leesiders' run to a second straight All-Ireland last year with a serious hamstring tear. And while it did make her think about the mileage she has built up over the years playing both codes for Cork, she could not bring herself to lighten her load just yet. Advertisement The defender added: 'I probably did think about playing the two more than ever before. I guess it was about getting the body back to the standard it was at but I felt this year, I kind of just had to give it a go. 'There's no point in throwing in the towel before you even try. 'Unfortunately, it's just getting that bit harder. I know it ended my season last year, and you just want to park it but it still carries over, unfortunately, to the following year more than you'd like it to. 'But I'm happy to go another year. The decision is closer than I'd like it to be but we're going to keep going for as long as we can anyway.' Advertisement 1 Jennifer Daly of Clare is tackled by Libby Coppinger of Cork during the Munster Senior Camogie Championship semi-final Credit: Ray McManus/Sportsfile
The Journal
12-06-2025
- Politics
- The Journal
Survivors of male violence rallying at Dáil to call for ban on counselling notes in trials
A BILL WHICH seeks to completely ban the use of a complainant's private counselling notes in sexual offences trials will be debated in the Dáil tonight. Ahead of the debate, therapists and victims of male violence, including campaigner Natasha O'Brien, will stage a demonstration outside Leinster House this afternoon at 3pm in support of the legislation. The bill has been brought forward by TD Ruth Coppinger. At the outset of her re-election last year, the Dublin West TD flagged that this would be one of her priorities for the Dáil term. Coppinger and campaigners outside the Dáil in April 2025. In the last Government, then-Justice Minister Helen McEntee pledged to outlaw the practice completely, while current Justice Minister Jim O'Callaghan has approved plans to significantly restrict their use. As the law currently stands, a pre-trial disclosure hearing is supposed to take place ahead of a trial to decide if an alleged victim's counselling notes are relevant. O'Callaghan said this provision in the law has 'not operated as intended'. Last month, he received Government sign-off to amend the law to require that an automatic disclosure hearing take place in all cases and remove the provision that allows for this step to be waived. Coppinger, however, wants the Government to go even further and ban the use of counselling notes in trials related to certain offences outright. This move has been supported by a number of counsellors and victims of male violence. Speaking at a press conference on the issue earlier this year, a number of women spoke of the trauma attached to having their private counselling notes read out in court. Advertisement Sarah Grace, a campaigner who was raped by a stranger who broke into her bedroom in 2019, described how navigating the justice system after the assault was 'the most traumatising and painful ordeal' she has ever had to experience. 'Including the sexual assault itself. And I understand the weight of those words,' she said at the time. Grace said the 'most cruel blow came not at the hands of the man who violated my body', but at the hands of the justice system. 'A system that allowed the notes of my weekly therapy session, in what I believe to be the sanctity and privacy of a therapy room, to be read by the man who caused the very devastation that I was trying to rebuild myself from,' she said. Another woman, Paula Doyle, who was raped in a park by her friend's husband, spoke out about how her experience of the Irish justice system in the aftermath of the assault was 'inhumane'. 'At times up to the trial, I even felt I was the one on trial,' Doyle said, referring to the use of her counselling notes. Doyle described this as a 'personal intrusion' and a 'second violation'. 'My private counselling notes were requested by the DPP five months before our initial trial date. I don't have to go into it, you know what rape is. He took my body that night. He left it like a piece of rubbish in the hedges. 'How perverse is it now that he has taken time and he can read my notes, what I poured into my therapy sessions, my heart and my soul? 'I'm really still not able to put this completely into words, it just felt like such a second violation, but on a much, much deeper level. 'And it's done to this day under the supervision of the Department of Justice…where is the justice in that?,' Doyle asked during the press conference. The debate in the Dáil is scheduled to take place tonight at 7.20 pm. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
