Richie Power pictured at the launch of the Bord Gais Energy Legends Tours at Croke Park.
By Cian O’Connell
Kilkenny aren’t accustomed to dealing with defeats, especially in the Leinster Championship so Saturday’s Semi-Final loss to Wexford hurt deeply.
During a glittering playing career Richie Power won eight All Ireland medals with Kilkenny, who were usually blessed with a potent panel.
Following the Wexford setback, Kilkenny will be monitoring next Monday’s Qualifiers draw with interest, and Power is hopeful that Brian Cody introduces some new faces into the Cats team for the rest of the summer.
“I think that is what he should do,” Power says. “Now it is at a stage where Kilkenny are probably in a transition period. If this year doesn't go to plan then you are looking at a building process, but I think this is the time to unearth these players.
“Give them a chance, see what they are made of. Give them experience, we have seen it in the past with Brian, he has pulled a few rabbits out of the hat. I think now is the time to do it.
“Throw caution to the wind, see what he has in the panel and then you know going forward where Kilkenny are actually at.
"You have a couple of young guys from the Under 21 squad, who I have been very impressed with, the likes of Billy Ryan, who maybe should get an opportunity.
“If he keeps going back to the regulars and to the same group of players that is going to go completely against you and the well is going to run dry.
“Whereas I think he needs to start breathing new life into the set-up and team. You'd be amazed, if he does that and one or two results start to go your way then the train starts to move. You don't know where it is going to end up.”
Power has been seriously impressed with how quickly Wexford have developed under Davy Fitzgerald throughout 2017.
With promotion from Allianz Hurling League Division 1B secured, Wexford will also contest their first provincial decider since 2008, offering clear signs of progress.
Richie Power consoles Galway goalkeeper Colm Callanan after the 2015 All Ireland SHC Final at Croke Park.
“I wasn't surprised at the result to be honest,” Power states. “I was wary of it, I was worried about it. From a Kilkenny point of view we were hearing whispers about injuries and guys not being 100 per cent.
“I think we saw that Saturday night, three guys probably weren't 100 per cent. I said it after the League Quarter Final at Nowlan Park that I was very impressed with Wexford number one. Number two I fully expected them to be in the Leinster Semi-Final, to set up a meeting with Kilkenny.
“What worried me was Kilkenny's lack of, I suppose creativity, to deal with the sweeper system. It is a system we have predominantly failed to deal with in the past.
“Even back in my day and even before that with the Clares and the Waterfords, when they used it. I was just surprised that Brian didn't have anything in mind, knowing quite well what Davy and Wexford were going to come with.”
The depth of the Kilkenny panel doesn’t appear to be as strong and formidable as in previous campaigns according to Power.
“That was obvious Saturday night,” is Power’s assessment. “I just couldn't understand how Padraig Walsh was started on Saturday night, it just didn't make any sense to me.
"I thought it was very unfair on the chap, maybe Padraig put his hand up and said he felt okay, I don't know, but number one they started him and number two for a guy that has played full back the whole League campaign to suddenly be started centre forward was very questionable.
“Look, that is Brian's way. There is always a few rabbits pulled out of the hat. Padraig was one, to me Richie Hogan didn't look a shadow of himself either. I know he has been struggling with back spasms, which he has struggled with in the past. Ger Aylward was he match fit?
“Michael Fennelly crying off before the game was a massive blow as well. It just goes to show that probably three or four years ago it wouldn't have happened.
“Brian would have looked at the panel, there was strength there and that is probably the worrying thing from a Kilkenny point of view. Is that strength in depth there? Does Brian have confidence in the guys that are in the 26? They are questions that will be answered over the coming weeks.”
Richie Power inspired Carrickshock to AIB All Ireland Intermediate glory in February.
Watching how the drama unfolds will be intriguing, but in a fortnight Power will embark on a trip to Croatia to seek expert opinion on a troublesome knee injury that forced him out of the inter-county game at the end of 2015.
Power was a key figure as Carrickshock claimed AIB All Ireland Intermediate Club glory in February, but that was his last taste of competitive action.
“I'm going over to Croatia in two weeks to see a specialist over there,” Power reveals. “So I'm hoping to get some good news over there, doing a bit of investigating into stem cell treatment.
“I haven't done any hurling with the club since the Intermediate Final, but I'm hoping to get back to do some towards the end of the year. Fingers crossed I hope to get some positive news in Croatia and they can do something for me over there.”
Former Kilkenny hurler David Byrne set up the consultation for Power. “He said it is worth going over to talk to the surgeon over there, he more or less organised the consultation.
“It is just a matter of getting over, they want to do a few scans and they will be able to tell me whether the procedure will work or not. It is something I haven't done. I have went down all avenues at this stage bar this one so this is pretty much last chance. I'm just hoping for the best really.
“In Zagreb, they have done a lot of trials and investigations. The surgeon himself has been very interested in it for the past few years, they more or less told me he is the best guy in Europe.”
It has been a demanding few years for Power, who underwent three operations in 2015. “That is where the real damage was done, I probably didn't take enough time to recover from these procedures, trying to rush back,” Power admits. “I was advised medically, but that is just what you do when you love the game, you want to get back.
“I felt after 2014, I was 28, I said to myself if I can get two or three years like this injury free you could have your best years. I picked up an injury in January in pre-season training, went under the knife, never came right, I played 12 minutes for Kilkenny in 2015, that was after three operations.
“You would have to question was it worth it? Obviously I came out with another All Ireland medal, but it ended up costing me my inter-county career and a lot of club time. Maybe I probably should have done things differently, but I can't really rewind the clock now. I will just have to get on with it.”
