Browne joins Déise Under 20’s as other managers confirmed
Tony Browne has been appointed a member of the Waterford under 20 coaching staff under manager Ken McGrath. Photo: INPHO
Waterford hurling legend Tony Browne has joined Ken McGrath’s Under 20 backroom team for 2025. His appointment was confirmed at last week’s county board meeting in Dungarvan.
The 1998 Hurler of the Year replaces outgoing coach Dan Shanahan who will link up with new senior manager Peter Queally next year. Browne worked with the Tipperary seniors for the past two seasons under Liam Cahill as coaching support. Cahill brought the Mount Sion great on board with Waterford in 2022.
Former inter county hurlers Andy Moloney and Kevin Moran are also part of McGrath’s management team. The Déise lost all four Munster Under 20 games in 2024. Since the 2016 All Ireland success, Waterford have only managed one win at Under 20 or Under 21 level. That came against Kerry in 2022.
Chairman Sean Michael O’Regan is delighted to have Browne involved. “Over the last number of weeks, the four main officers of the county board have sat down with all the management teams for 2025. There’s been movement within some of the set-ups. Everybody knows Tony Browne the length and breadth of the country. He has a serious level of experience and a serious knowledge of hurling. Tony marrying up with Ken and the Under 20s is a positive step forward for Waterford.”
James O’Connor has received a one-year extension as minor hurling boss. This will be his third season in charge. His set-up includes former Déise attackers Paul Flynn and Tommy Ryan as well as Seamus Hannon (Ballyduff Upper) and Nicholas Mackey (Mount Sion). In 2024, Waterford defeated Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds to finish fourth in Munster and qualify for an All-Ireland preliminary quarter final. They bowed out tamely to Galway at Semple Stadium (2-16 to 1-6). Fourteen players will be underage again next year.
Paul Power from Rathgormack is the new Waterford Under 20 football manager. He helped the minors to championship wins over Limerick and Offaly in 2024. Power has received a three-year term. David Whelan (Sliabh gCua), Ollie Costelloe (Stradbally), John Crotty (Rathgormack) and Kieran Hallahan (Sliabh gCua) will accompany him on the sideline.
Eddie Mulligan was ratified as minor football boss for 2025. The De La Salle clubman has worked with the Waterford academy teams for the past three years. He will be assisted by Justin Walsh (The Nire), Derek Wyse (St Saviours), Glen Moloney (Ardmore), Paul Murphy (Gaultier) and Paudie Halpin (The Nire).
