Power: Fennelly will do a fantastic job with Laois

Kilkenny scoring ace Richie Power has backed his club boss Brendan Fennelly to prosper as Laois senior hurling manager in 2011.

Fennelly was ratified to the role by the O'Moore County club delegates last night, around 24 hours after he managed Power's club Carrickshock to a second Kilkenny SHC semi-final appearance since their promotion from the intermediate grade.

"His record speaks for itself and it's nothing to be laughed at," admitted Power today.

Power believes that the appointment will be a huge boost to hurling in Laois, and says that the O'Moore men will have an excellent manager at their disposal.

"He really has got the most out of us, only our second semi-final at senior level since we moved up.

"I've no doubt Brendan will do a fantastic job in Laois. It's great that he was appointed last night. I'm sure he wanted to delve into the inter-county scene again (after managing Carlow before).

"I wish him all the best in it, but hopefully he won't be finished with us too soon anyway."

It has certainly been a memorable few days in the life of the 24-year-old Power, who backed up his 13-point haul for his club in that semi-final last Sunday by winning an OPEL-GPA Hurler of the Month award today.

The talented forward was in excellent form as Carrickshock claimed a 1-20 to 1-15 win over former All-Ireland Club champions, James Stephen's, at Callan on Sunday.

"We were out in the first round of the club Championship two weeks after the All-Ireland final and fair enough we had a couple of days to relax, but come the Wednesday or Thursday of that week we had to regroup and concentrate on the club scene," he said.

"When you go back to your club you try and give 100% and you try to give them as much as you possibly can.

"It's great this year that we are having a good run and hopefully it won't end on Sunday week (in the semi-final), but it's like any game.

"There is never any Championship easily won, especially in Kilkenny and it bodes well for two good semi-finals."