The search for a new Waterford senior hurling manager remains wide open, with several of the names previously linked with the position now able to be ruled out.

At this stage, there is no formally established committee overseeing the process, and no interviews have taken place, meaning all speculation surrounding potential candidates remains just that — speculation.

Of the seven names initially linked with the role, Donal ‘Duck’ O’Rourke is now the only one who remains a realistic possibility from that original group.

Brendan Cummins, who had been heavily linked with the Waterford job, confirmed on The Sunday Game that he will not be managing any team in 2027.

The former Tipperary goalkeeper said he would take 12 months away from management after completing five years with the Premier County’s U20s.

“I’m not going to be managing any team in 2027,” Cummins confirmed.

Derek McGrath can also be ruled out, having recently been appointed as the new Wexford senior hurling manager.

James ‘Joxer’ O’Connor is expected to remain with the Waterford U20s. Having guided the county to All-Ireland minor success in 2025, and with that group still eligible for U20 in 2027, remaining with the players for another season would appear the most logical option.

Tony Browne has also taken up a role within the Waterford underage set-up and is therefore not expected to be in the running for the senior position.

Pat Ryan, meanwhile, is understood not to be interested in the Waterford job.

That leaves Donal ‘Duck’ O’Rourke as the only remaining name from the original seven who could potentially be considered.

The Cappoquin native joined Peter Queally’s management team this year after previously spending three seasons as a coach under Pat Ryan with Cork.

O’Rourke is highly regarded as a coach and has close knowledge of the current Waterford panel. However, it remains unclear whether he would be interested in taking on the top job or whether he could instead remain in a coaching capacity under a new manager.

Several other names have now entered the conversation.

Former Waterford captain Stephen Molumphy could be a potential candidate. Molumphy, who succeeded Fintan O’Connor as Kerry manager, is due to return to Ireland this month after spending the last two years in Brussels and Ukraine as part of his role as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Defence Forces.

His experience as an inter-county manager and his knowledge of Waterford hurling could make him an intriguing option should he be interested in the position.

Darragh O’Sullivan is another name that could come into consideration.

O’Sullivan has enjoyed significant success with Ballygunner, having been part of the management team that guided the club to All-Ireland glory.

Jason Ryan is also a potential candidate. His extensive inter-county management experience, having previously managed Wexford and Kildare, while he has also enjoyed major success with Ballygunner.

Ryan was the manager of the Ballygunner side that won the All-Ireland club title earlier this year, adding another major achievement to an already impressive coaching career.

Both Ryan and O’Sullivan therefore bring recent All-Ireland-winning experience with Ballygunner, although whether either would be interested in taking on the Waterford job remains unknown.

The key point at this stage is that no formal process has begun.

There is currently no committee formally in place to oversee the appointment, while no interviews have taken place.

As a result, the names currently being discussed are speculative.

What is clear is that a number of the candidates initially linked with the position can now be ruled out, leaving a smaller but still intriguing group of potential contenders.

Donal O’Rourke, Stephen Molumphy, Darragh O’Sullivan and Jason Ryan are among the names now being discussed, although Waterford could yet turn to a candidate who has not been publicly linked with the role.

For now, the process has yet to formally begin — and the next Waterford senior hurling manager remains unknown.

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