Molumphy wants Waterford to play ‘attacking and aggressive’ style of hurling
The former Waterford captain was announced as the county’s new senior hurling manager on Wednesday night
New Waterford senior hurling manager Stephen Molumphy has said he wants his team to play an “attacking and aggressive” style of hurling.
Molumphy was speaking to Déise HQ in his first interview following his appointment.
He spoke of his pride upon being given the responsibility of managing his home county.
Molumphy said: “I was lucky enough to be involved with Wexford in 2019 and we won the Leinster Championship and Waterford the following year with Liam Cahill and then obviously, with Kerry as manager then for three years.
“There is obviously something very special about your own county.
“You can relate a lot easier definitely but I suppose with that then, it’s a huge responsibility that you’re undertaking.”
The Ballyduff Upper man continued by outlining the type of hurling he wants his team to play.
“What we want to see is a team with a huge work ethic, accountability, excellent decision-making, but we want to play an attacking style of hurling. That's key.
“An attacking, aggressive style of hurling, but also one that's tactically disciplined.
“So we're looking forward to getting out, taking the field, imposing ourselves on the game-plan, but also giving our supporters something to watch that when people come, they like the Waterford style of hurling.”
Molumphy insisted that Waterford have to create their own style, as opposed to copying what other counties are doing.
“We’ll have a style that's going to be innovative to us. You can't just copy Limerick or copy other teams.
“We have different strengths according to other teams, so we play to our strengths. We play the style of hurling that suits us - an open, attacking [style].
“We already have it designed. We look forward to basically putting it in practice and looking forward to showing everyone in the league and championship what we can do.”
Despite it being his first year in charge, the former Déise captain is insisting that 2027 won’t be seen as a transition year for his charges.
“I don't see it as a transition year. We have quality players, we have experienced players, we have excellent youth coming in, so we're not rebuilding from day one, we're just continuing what we have and enhancing that.
“I'm delighted to have the opportunity to work with so many excellent players, fresh blood coming in, and I'm just looking forward to getting out on the field.”
Molumphy concluded by highlighting the ambition of him and his backroom team, which is yet to be announced.
“We’re ambitious in regards to our hurling commitments and I suppose I mentioned already about where we see ourselves.
“We have excellent players and we just need to go and reach the later stages and I suppose the players will find out all about the ambitions that we have. We’re looking forward to it.
“We’re all Waterford men. We’ve an excellent backroom team, a plan will be put in place for that and we’re looking forward to getting started.”
Waterford GAA confirmed in a statement last night that Molumphy would be appointed the county’s new senior hurling manager.
He takes over after the county board decided against extending Peter Queally’s term in charge.
Waterford failed to qualify from the Munster Championship again this year, having suffered defeats to Clare, Cork and Limerick.