Stephen Molumphy set to become new Waterford senior hurling manager

Stephen Molumphy is poised to be recommended as the new Waterford senior hurling manager. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile.

Stephen Molumphy is poised to be recommended as the new Waterford senior hurling manager.

As reported by the Irish Examiner earlier this month, Molumphy, who captained The Déise to their last Munster SHC success in 2010, was a leading contender for the position.

Following interviews conducted by a five-person selection committee over the weekend, the 42-year-old is believed to be close to taking over from Peter Queally, who stepped down in June after two seasons in charge.

A Lieutenant Colonel in the Defence Forces, the Ballyduff Upper man returned from a posting in Brussels this month where as part of his role he travelled regularly to war-torn Ukraine.

In 2024, Molumphy stepped down as Kerry manager after three years to take up the assignment with the EUMAM (EU Military Assistance Mission).

Previously, the 42-year-old was a selector to former Waterford manager Liam Cahill in 2020. The year before, Molumphy was a selector and coach to his old Waterford manager Davy Fitzgerald when he led Wexford to their previous Leinster SHC crown.

In his three years with Kerry, Molumphy led the county to Joe McDonagh Cup finals in 2022 and ’23. They lost by a point to Antrim in the latter decider.

The Waterford senior hurling championships are currently over halfway through the group stage phase with two games remaining over the coming couple of weekends. The final takes place in September.

The weekend before last, Brendan Cummins ruled himself out of the reckoning for the Waterford vacancy after stepping down as Tipperary U20 manager. Cahill had followed a similar path in 2019.

Molumphy recently lined out for Brussels in the World Games that took place in Waterford. As well as 2010, he was part of the Waterford team that claimed the Munster SHC three years earlier when he also won a Division 1 title and was awarded an All-Star. In the same season, he captained his club to only their third ever senior county championship.