Cats star Power given all-clear

KILKENNY attacker Richie Power, right, has been given the all-clear after fears he had suffered a serious neck injury in Sunday’s NHL Division 1 tie against Offaly were allayed.

The Carrickshock attacker had notched eight points in the first-half but was removed to hospital by ambulance at half time after incurring a heavy knock. Power complained of stiffness in his neck and after being attended to on the Nowlan Park pitch by Kilkenny physio Robbie Lodge and team doctor Bill Cuddihy, Power’s neck was placed in a brace and he was rushed to St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny for X-rays. However after undergoing a series of tests he was discharged on Sunday night with no serious problems.

The news will be a boost to Brian Cody who will factor Power into his plans for next Sunday’s fixture against Tipperary. Cody and counterpart Liam Sheedy will be keeping tabs on this weekend’s third-level action in Galway and hoping their players emerge unscathed. In the Fitzgibbon Cup, Tipp have Seamus Hennessy (NUI Galway), Seamus Callanan (Limerick IT), and UL duo Paddy Stapleton and Willie Ryan all involved, while Kilkenny defender Kieran Joyce will also line out for UL.

In the Ryan Cup, regular Kilkenny netminder PJ Ryan will be in action for Carlow IT. The semi-finals in both competitions are scheduled for Friday afternoon, and if successful there the players will be involved in Saturday’s final double-header in Pearse Stadium just 24 hours before the Semple Stadium showdown.