Post by Admin on Dec 17, 2014 10:37:35 GMT
Colm Keys Irish Independent - 17th December 2014,
Richie Power has admitted that JJ Delaney's retirement announcement at the beginning of the month was a "shock to the system."
After Kilkenny's All-Ireland victory over Tipperary, Power didn't feel there would be any retirements from the squad.
But the numbers have already reached five and Power admits it will be a different Kilkenny dressing-room when the champions return in 2015.
"They were all a surprise. We won the All-Ireland and the days and weeks after we were discussing it and saying that there's not really a need for anyone to leave," he reflected.
David Herity and Delaney's decisions were the biggest surprise, he acknowledged.
"JJ came as a shock, it was just a shock to the system. He made a personal decision. He's happy with that. I spoke to him since. What can you say about him, what can you say about any of the guys that are after doing it?" said Power.
"They are going to be a massive, massive loss out of the dressing-room, the experience that they have. It's going to be a big challenge."
Finding a replacement will be tough, Power admits, but he's adamant that there are strong candidates there.
"JJ was always a better wing-back in my eyes and personally I think that's where he preferred to play, but he was so talented that he could play anywhere," he said.
"I think the most disappointed will be the likes of goalkeeper Eoin Murphy that JJ is leaving.
"But I think we have loads of guys for there. You have the likes of Michael Walsh from Gowran, Kieran Joyce can play full-back."
Power must continue to mind knee and hip injuries that have affected him in recent seasons if he is to continue to maintain his high standards. The damage to his posterior cruciate ligament this summer will need ongoing attention.
"It's not 100pc. It just weakens the knee," the Carrickshock powerhouse explained. "It's a matter of rehab, building up the muscles around it to compensate pretty much. Once you do it, it's gone and it won't come back. At the time I was very worried.
"I've had quite a bit of work done with that knee, three operations for cartilage, and it's after weakening it a good bit."
Irish Independent
After Kilkenny's All-Ireland victory over Tipperary, Power didn't feel there would be any retirements from the squad.
But the numbers have already reached five and Power admits it will be a different Kilkenny dressing-room when the champions return in 2015.
"They were all a surprise. We won the All-Ireland and the days and weeks after we were discussing it and saying that there's not really a need for anyone to leave," he reflected.
David Herity and Delaney's decisions were the biggest surprise, he acknowledged.
"JJ came as a shock, it was just a shock to the system. He made a personal decision. He's happy with that. I spoke to him since. What can you say about him, what can you say about any of the guys that are after doing it?" said Power.
"They are going to be a massive, massive loss out of the dressing-room, the experience that they have. It's going to be a big challenge."
Finding a replacement will be tough, Power admits, but he's adamant that there are strong candidates there.
"JJ was always a better wing-back in my eyes and personally I think that's where he preferred to play, but he was so talented that he could play anywhere," he said.
"I think the most disappointed will be the likes of goalkeeper Eoin Murphy that JJ is leaving.
"But I think we have loads of guys for there. You have the likes of Michael Walsh from Gowran, Kieran Joyce can play full-back."
Power must continue to mind knee and hip injuries that have affected him in recent seasons if he is to continue to maintain his high standards. The damage to his posterior cruciate ligament this summer will need ongoing attention.
"It's not 100pc. It just weakens the knee," the Carrickshock powerhouse explained. "It's a matter of rehab, building up the muscles around it to compensate pretty much. Once you do it, it's gone and it won't come back. At the time I was very worried.
"I've had quite a bit of work done with that knee, three operations for cartilage, and it's after weakening it a good bit."
Irish Independent