'I am in awe of the people's resilience and determination': Stephen Molumphy on Defence Force missions in Ukraine

The former Waterford senior hurling captain and Kerry manager, a lieutenant colonel in the Irish Defence Forces, has travelled to Ukraine as part of his work with EUMAM

Stephen Molumphy, former Kerry hurling manager, is a lieutenant colonel in the Irish Defence Forces

It doesn’t matter how many times Stephen Molumphy crosses the border in and out of Ukraine, the contrast between peace and a war zone never ceases to arrest him.

The former Waterford senior hurling captain and Kerry manager, a lieutenant colonel in the Irish Defence Forces, has travelled to the country as part of his work with EUMAM (EU Military Assistance Mission) based in Brussels. 

Set up following the Russian invasion of Crimea in 2022, as of last month the mission had trained 35,000 Ukrainian soldiers largely in Poland and Germany.

Molumphy was only in Kyiv recently and of course there is danger but he appreciates he is not living it day-in, day-out. He can go back to his wife Niamh and four kids in Belgium.

“An air alarm goes off and the kids straight away know what they can and cannot do, where they can go, where they can’t. It's scary how routine it has become for them, but also impressive on the other hand.

“When we go over, we have all our force protection measures in place. We take the risks but mitigate them. We haven’t much to complain about compared to what the Ukrainian people are experiencing.

Molumphy with wife Niamh in Zurich

“I am in awe of the people’s resilience and determination. They are fighting to keep their freedom against a far larger and more heavily resourced Russian force. The Ukrainian people have displayed a unity of purpose that has captured global admiration.

“What stands out for me in my limited interaction with them, teachers, farmers, retirees, students, is how they have taken on roles they never expected and excelled, driven by a belief in the right to live freely and make their own decisions.

“And they are so grateful. They’re always making the point of thanking you for this, thanking you for the support from all the EU countries. And you're looking at what they're dealing with, long-range strikes from Russia.” 

Previous tours to Chad and Syria gave Molumphy an appreciation for the so-called simple things in life like cold milk and a shower that lasted longer than 30 seconds. The trips to Ukraine give him a greater sense of his freedom.

“I keep drawing parallels to ourselves and how Ireland fought long and hard to fight domination and repression. I ask myself a lot what would we do now if we were faced with Ukraine are experiencing? Hopefully, there is a peace plan but one that is sustainable. Because we all remember the previous security guarantees they got."

As commended as Ukraine have been, Molumphy also accepts there is “conflict fatigue” between it, Palestine and Sudan. “After a while, people don't want to keep hearing about it, but it's important that it is addressed. It slowly goes down to pecking order, which is very unfortunate. The Ukrainian leadership are trying to make people aware all the time. Likewise, the genocide in Palestine, Gaza, people are working hard to make sure it stays relevant.

“In Ukraine, they’re so united in their aim. But all the things that they've had to sacrifice, and then just cross the border from Ukraine into the EU, it's completely different. It's two different worlds.” 

The Molumphys have made a life for themselves in Brussels and will remain there until Stephen completes his post in July next year. At 41, he’s hurling again as is former Lismore and Waterford camogie player Niamh.

“Our kids always say Niamh has more All-Ireland medals than I do,” he smiles.

Stephen was part of the Brussels men’s team that beat a combined Denmark/Sweden side to claim this year’s European nine-a-side title, while Niamh featured on the camogie side, which finished continental runners-up.

Before making the move to Belgium, Molumphy hadn’t an idea just how strong the GAA was in Europe, which now has 80 clubs in 18 countries and is twinned with Leinster GAA.

Photo of Stephen outside EU Delegation HQ, Kyiv, Ukraine

“I knew there were a few teams but I didn't know how many or how numerous it was and how much it's grown.” 

Being able to speak German, he laughs at the memory of playing against Cologne in Vienna in 34-degree heat last year and speaking to the opposing full-back in his native tongue.

“There’s a club call Darmstadt and nearly three quarters of their team are German and they absolutely love the game. They love the physicality, the speed, and the social element. After one tournament in Copenhagen, the Cork and Limerick Munster final was on, and we all went to a local Irish pub to watch it. Absolutely packed out.” 

The Molumphy kids are loving the European life too. Jack, Fionn and Katie are hurling and playing Gaelic football, while two-year-old Riadh is following. The three eldest attend one of the four European schools in Brussels where they have lessons in English and French as well as Irish.

“Fionn came home one day and said they beat the ‘Germans’ in soccer at school and the Irish kids spoke Irish to each other so the other team couldn’t understand their tactics. It was their code. Riadh has started playschool, which only speaks through French. It’s still funny hearing her calling me ‘Papa’.” 

Amsterdam’s victory against Longford Slashers in the Leinster special junior hurling final last Sunday brought more spotlight on the efforts going on in Europe and Molumphy speaks of the ease of transport between the clubs.

“Back home in Ballyduff, we recently got the Local Link, which we were delighted with. But one Saturday earlier this year, Niamh hopped on the train with the camogie team to Paris in an hour and a half, played the local team there, went to watch a Six Nations game in the pub and was back that evening. Incredible when you think about it.” 

Even more so compared to what Ukrainians are experiencing. “Worlds apart,” Molumphy reiterates. “We have these comforts and our first-world problems. How lucky we are.”