Kerry's Danielle O'Leary to be a dual player for 2026
Michael Bolton
Kerry's Danielle O'Leary says she was inspired to come back to the Camogie team following their All-Ireland final defeat to Offaly last August.
Sitting in the stadium as Kerry were defeated in the Intermediate final, O'Leary said she was “heartbroken” for her old teammates and vowed to return this season.
The 2024 All-Ireland winner said she received support from her teammates to play both, and is looking forward to going one step further in 2026.
“The last time I played camogie, I actually broke my jaw,” O’Leary explained.
“I took that as a sign, really, to give it up for the year. I suppose it was harder playing college football and college camogie as well. This year, when I'm out of college, I have the chance to play both.
“What really changed my mind was seeing the camogie girls playing Offaly last year. I was absolutely gutted for them. I had it in my head straight after that, I can't stay in the stand anymore watching them play. I'm going to give it the best shot I can.
“To be fair to both management teams, they're very understanding, and that's what you need. I need my two managers to be side-by-side with me in whatever choices I make.” O’Leary said the support from her camogie teammates made the decision easier.
“To be fair to the camogie girls, they said, ‘we would love to see you back.’
"They're very supportive of me playing football as well. I think every single one of them came up to that All-Ireland final in 2024 - that's the friends you need, and that's the teammates you need. They're always there for me through thick and thin.”
Integration
For many dual players, the schedule and workload are frequent obstacles they encounter in the game.
One way this is hoped to be solved is through the integration of the GAA, LGFA, and Camogie Association.
Admittedly, the plan for integration, set to happen in 2027, has been put into doubt.
Yet O'Leary spoke of the benefits it will have for fans and players.
“Our view hasn’t changed, and I don’t think it will change in the near future. Of course, for dual players, it’ll be absolutely brilliant. I think in terms of fixtures, it will 100% help.
“I think for spectators as well, people can't be expected to decide between a camogie game and a football game in one day.
"Hopefully, the sooner the better. But when you don't hear much talk about it anymore, it's probably not a good sign.”
AFLW lure
With over 40 players from Ladies Football playing in the AFLW, the numbers from Ireland are increasing every year.
With her teammate Kayleigh Cronin in Australia, O'Leary was coy when asked if she had any offers to play down under.
“Personally, it's just not the right time to go over. I have too much here to stay for. As I said, with the camogie, with the football, I definitely have plans for next year at home.”
