Brian Cody hails the man who ‘had everything’ - Richie Power

Brian Cody paid a glowing tribute to recently-retired Richie Power yesterday, describing the forward as a player who “had everything”.

Power had to hang up his boots due to a nagging knee injury and Cody describe him as: “A terrific hurler, massively skilful. It showed in the last few years because he was playing through injury, limited — almost close to no serious preparation.

“He came on in the All-Ireland last year and showed what he could do, but going back to the previous year’s All-Ireland, he got two goals and was just outstanding. He made a real difference.

“A hugely skilful player, athletic, brave, he had everything, really. Unfortunately injury has put an end to his career, but he’s a huge loss to the panel, there’s no doubt about that.

“Injury is the one thing everybody wants to avoid, some people are lucky and some people are unlucky. He showed what he could do through injury for years, had he been injury-free, we can only imagine. It’s unfortunate.”

Cody confirmed that Ger Aylward, who broke onto the Cats’ senior team last year, will miss this season with a cruciate injury.

“He’s just gone and he’s a huge loss. He had a terrific year last year but he has the injury that nobody wants, which is the killing thing. It’s not a question of when he’ll be back, he won’t be back this year.

“The cruciate is the dreaded one, and the killing thing is that it happens so simply, usually. You’re talking about nine months (rehab), really, so essentially Ger’s intercounty career this year is gone.

“But he’s 23, he’ll be back in a massive way, we’re just hugely disappointed he won’t be around this year.

“Ger’s early matches in the league (in 2015), it didn’t look as if he was going to do it, but he knuckled down and put everything into it, listened to whatever he had to listen to, took all the advice there was to take.”

Joe Lyng and Michael Fennelly are also doubtful for Kilkenny, at least early in the league.

“Joe Lyng has his arm in a sling but in terms of really serious stuff we’re not too bad. Michael Fennelly won’t be playing against Waterford, obviously, but he’s in training. Not in contact, he’s not doing hurling, but he’s in training. He’s doing okay at the moment so hopefully he may be back. It’s Michael’s ongoing thing — his groin, his back, an accumulation of stuff.

“He’s not had a full season for a few years.

“Last year he had club championship with the Shamrocks right to Patrick’s Day, but at least he’s had a break this year, a longer break to do some rehab.”