Stephen Molumphy has become the third Waterford hurler to announce his inter-county retirement in the past week.

The 30-year-old army captain follows Seamus Prendergast and Shane Walsh into retirement after a stellar eight-year career. A top class forward, Molumphy made his Waterford debut in 2006 and went on to win Allianz League and Munster SHC honours the following year. He played in the Deise's All-Ireland final defeat to Kilkenny in 2008 before captaining them to a Munster SHC title in 2010.

Molumphy, who also won an All Star in 2010, was forced to miss the 2013 season due to overseas deployment and said in a statement released through the GPA that the issue had finally caught up with him.

"It has been an honour and privilege to have played on and captained the Waterford senior hurling team since 2006 and been part of one of the most successful periods in Waterford hurling history," he said.

"There is no greater feeling than taking to the hurling field and representing your county with your loyal supporters at your back.

"I would like to pay tribute to the fantastic managers and selectors I have been fortunate to play under throughout the years and to the calibre of my teammates with whom I was lucky enough to battle alongside.

"I would like to thank my club, Ballyduff Upper, for their support and my family and friends for their trusted advice and understanding.

"Finally, I would like to sincerely thank my wife Niamh. Without her support, patience and understanding I would never have been able to combine my county hurling commitments with my work in the Irish Defence Forces. From the very outset of my county journey - when I first attended a trial with the senior panel - she was there for me as a source of positive reinforcement.

"I would like to wish the current Waterford hurling team and management the very best of luck in the future."

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