7 Contenders In The Race To Become The Next Waterford Hurling Manager

Waterford are looking for a senior hurling manager once again.

Peter Queally confirmed on Monday that he would not be seeking a third season in charge after revealing he did not have the backing of Waterford GAA chiefs to continue in the role.

Queally admitted he was "extremely disappointed" by the decision, bringing an end to a two-year spell that ultimately failed to end Waterford's Munster round-robin hoodoo.

Attention will now quickly turn towards who succeeds him, with several intriguing candidates already emerging.

The early favourite.

According to reporting from Michael Verney in the Irish Independent, Donal 'Duck' O'Rourke is currently regarded as the leading contender for the position.

The Cappoquin native joined Queally's management team this year after three seasons as a coach under Pat Ryan with Cork and is understood to have made a significant impression within Waterford circles.

O'Rourke is highly regarded as a coach and his close knowledge of the current panel could make him an attractive option.

The main question is whether he would want the top job or prefer to remain in a coaching capacity.

If O'Rourke does not fancy becoming manager, one intriguing possibility is that former Cork boss Pat Ryan could enter the conversation.

Ryan remains one of the most respected coaches in the game and has extensive experience operating at the highest level.

A scenario where Ryan took the managerial role while retaining O'Rourke as coach could appeal to Waterford decision-makers looking for both continuity and experience.

At this stage there is no indication Ryan is pursuing the position, but his name is certain to be discussed.

Few names would generate as much excitement among Waterford supporters as Tony Browne.

One of the greatest hurlers ever to wear the Déise jersey, Browne has quietly built an impressive coaching résumé since his playing days and remains one of the most respected figures in Waterford hurling.

The Mount Sion man was part of Liam Cahill's management team that guided Waterford to the 2020 All-Ireland final before following Cahill to Tipperary for 2023 and 2024, where he spent two seasons as part of the Premier County's senior hurling backroom team.

He was most recently a part of the Waterford U20 set up in 2025, a team managed by Ken McGrath.

The De La Salle man remains one of the more successful managers in Waterford history and guided the county to the 2017 All-Ireland final where they lost to Galway.

His teams were consistently competitive during a difficult era dominated by Kilkenny, Tipperary and later Limerick.

McGrath's name inevitably resurfaces whenever the Waterford job becomes available and many supporters would welcome a return.

Whether he would be interested in a second spell is another matter entirely.

He has recently had success at club level in Limerick managing Doon to their first county title in 2024.

A man whose stock is on the rise.

O'Connor guided Waterford to All-Ireland minor success in 2025 and currently oversees the county's under-20 setup.

Given the importance of integrating younger players into the senior panel, there is a strong argument that nobody understands Waterford's emerging talent pool better.

Promoting O'Connor would represent a clear commitment to building around the next generation.

With the All-Ireland winning team he managed still U20 for 2027 it may be sensible for him to remain with those players for another season.

It would not be a managerial search without Davy Fitzgerald's name appearing somewhere.

Fitzgerald's second spell with the county never truly recaptured the magic of his first stint and fizzled out towards the end, making a third appointment appear unlikely.

However, the Clare native has repeatedly stated that he is not finished with inter-county management following his departure from Antrim.

His previous success with Clare, Wexford and Waterford ensures he cannot be completely discounted, even if he is unlikely to feature near the top of the shortlist.