Stephen Molumphy in pole position to become Déise manager

Stephen Molumphy has emerged as the front runner to take over as the new Waterford senior hurling manager, the Waterford News & Star understands.

The search for Peter Queally’s successor has intensified in recent days as a five-man selection committee panel has been established and are currently in the process of interviewing prospective candidates.

Reports had suggested last week that former Tipperary goalkeeper Brendan Cummins was poised to take up the position having left his post as the Premier’s under-20 manager, but he distanced himself from the job on the Sunday Game after the All-Ireland Hurling Final. 

Former Déise captain Molumphy is returning to Ireland at present, having recently completed a post based in both Brussels and Ukraine with the Defence Forces.

The Ballyduff Upper clubman had a stellar playing career for his county, making his debut in 2006 and going on to win two Munster titles and a National League, as well as an All-Star in 2007. The 42-year-old was captain then Waterford last won the Munster Senior Hurling Championship in 2010.

Molumphy also won a Waterford Senior Hurling Championship medal with Ballyduff Upper in 2007, famously lining out alongside his brothers Patrick, Michael, Thomas and Edward in a win against Ballygunner.

He began his coaching career with Cork side Castlemartyr in 2016, before joining Davy Fitzgerald as a selector for Wexford in 2018. Molumphy was part of the coaching set-up that led them to the Leinster title in 2019.

Molumphy was named as a selector to his county in 2020 under the guidance of Liam Cahill, but due to work commitments, he was ultimately replaced by Tom Feeney. He took up his first inter-county managerial post in 2021 when he was named as manager of Kerry.

During his time in the Kingdom, he led them to the Joe McDonagh Cup final which they lost by a point to Antrim. He is credited with lowering the average age of the Kerry side from 35 to 24 and bringing through fresh talent. Molumphy vacated his post in 2024 after three years, owing to commitments with the Defence Forces.

It remains to be seen if Donal O’Rourke will remain part of any new coaching set-up. The Cappoquin man has been mooted as a potential successor to Peter Queally but it is understood he would be more likely to remain as a coach opposed to a managerial role itself. O’Rourke made a big impact in his first season with Waterford having come back from Cork, where he helped the Rebels win the 2025 Munster Senior Hurling Championship while they also reached the All-Ireland Final.

Former Déise boss Derek McGrath had also been linked to the vacant managerial role, but he has since been appointed as the new Wexford senior hurling manager on a three-year term.

The Waterford News & Star understands that an appointment will be made before the knockout phases of the Waterford Senior Hurling Championship take place. A break weekend is currently in effect before Round 4 and Round 5 bring the group phases to a conclusion in early August.