Power gives master-class as Kilkenny demolish Laois

Kilkenny 1-26 Laois 1-13

Rice, a former All Ireland minor winning captain, scored three delightful points, but the star of the show for Kilkenny was utility forward Richie Power. Starting at full-forward and later moving to the right wing, Power finished with 13 points, four of them splendidly struck from play.

With Power and James (Cha) Fitzpatrick, who had four points to his credit, leading the way, every Kilkenny forward got his name on the score sheet as did midfielder Michael Kavanagh as “the Cats” mauled an inept Laois side after the break.