Power and responsibility

IT’S been a fantastic few years for Kilkenny supporters, a decade of unprecedented success with a series of old failures rectified.

Kilkenny had never won an All-Ireland title in a year ending in 0, 6 or 8, a three in-a-row on the field or topped the roll of honour on their own (joined Tipp briefly in 1939, on 12 titles, but were soon overtaken again by Cork, then Tipp).

All that was changed in the first decade of this new century, this new millennium, and one of those responsible was Richie Power, a member of the panel since 2005.

Coming as he does from Carrickshock and a family steeped in hurling history, Richie was aware of that heritage from a very early age. Until Ballyhale Shamrocks equalled their record in 2009, Carrickshock were the only club in Kilkenny to complete four-in-a-row (1940/41/42/43), while his father, also Richie, won two All-Ireland senior titles, four national leagues, and two All Stars before retiring in 1991. Had he held on for another couple of years he would have doubled his All-Ireland haul as Kilkenny were again victorious in 1992 and 1993.

Born in 1985, Richie Jnr wasn’t around for his father’s glory days but those latter two All-Irelands form part of his earliest memories of the Cats in action. “I definitely remember 92 and 93, going up to those finals and the excitement that was around. From a very early age growing up I was hoping and praying that some day that I’d get a chance to play in an All-Ireland final and I’ve done that. I don’t think I felt any pressure but advice-wise I feel I would not have been where I am today without dad.

“He has been there and through it all, won his All Stars, but it all comes down to one thing and that is working hard. He drills it into me every day I go out with the club and county and if you do that and come off the field as if you need to be carried off it, you can’t do too much more than that.”

It’s an honour to represent your county in any code in any grade of course, an honour and a responsibility, and it does take enormous commitment these days, but in the matter of reward, some are more lucky than others. Richie definitely falls into that category.

“Luckily enough I had success at minor and U21 level. After the 2004 U21 All-Ireland I set my sights on winning a senior because it’s the pinnacle of anyone’s career. You look back on the teams that Kilkenny had in those years [Kilkenny won the senior titles of 2002 and 03] and you’re wondering were you good enough to be in there.

“That’s when I realised that it was going to take unbelievable hard work, commitment, determination and a lot of sacrifices and thankfully it has paid off over the last couple of years.”

It gets harder every year, Kilkenny themselves setting the tone from 2006 to 09, then Tipperary raising the bar again with their win last year. The motivation, however, remains as strong as ever.

“You look at Henry [Shefflin, coming back from a second cruciate injury in four years], his hunger and fitness levels, his determination is just phenomenal. Hurling beside someone like that drives you on because you’re looking at him and wondering wouldn’t it be great if you were as good as him.

“Henry has done it all. It never gets boring because you’re looking over your shoulder at the start of every year checking on what young lads are coming in and having a look at what lads will be fighting for your place. You are always on your toes, it drives everyone on, and it’s great — that has led to the success of Kilkenny over the last few years.

“This All-Ireland coming up could be my last so you have to savour it and give it your all because you don’t know if you’ll be back there again.”

He’s becoming one of the senior guys now, is Richie, coming up on 26, the obvious successor to the great Henry. He’s feeling it too, the need to take on even more responsibility.

“I’ve been there since 05. Added pressure and responsibility comes with that, you have to bring the young guys on, encourage them, tell them it’s a lot of hard work but there are rewards at the end of it. There’s no better reward than being in Croke Park on the first Sunday in September and when the final whistle goes and you’re on the right side of the result, it makes it all worthwhile.”