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superstition is the way

Richie Power - 'TJ Reid likes to feed his chickens the night before an All-Ireland final'

The Kilkenny forward revealed how his team-mate is a stickler for the pre-match superstitions.

TJ Reid Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

GAA AND SUPERSTITIONS go hand in hand. Kerry legend Paidi Ó Sé had a well-known weakness for piseogs and famously insisted on wearing the same suit to every game.

But Kilkenny’s Richie Power has revealed that his fellow forward TJ Reid has a unique superstition of his own ahead of big days in September – feeding his chickens the night before.

“I know TJ likes to feed his chickens the night before an All-Ireland final so that’s his own personal reason but other than that no. I know guys have some places to sit in the dressing room and stuff like that but other than that there’s no real superstitions.

“Look if we get over the line I’m sure some lads will come out of the woodwork with a couple of weird ones anyway.”

Power has battled his way back from injury to resume full fitness at a pivotal time in the season for Kilkenny and an impressive 20 minute cameo against Limerick in the semi-final proved his worth to Cody’s side. But he knows he faces a battle to regain his place in the Cats starting fifteen for Sunday’s All-Ireland decider.

Richie Power celebrates after scoring a goal Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

The Carrickshock sharp-shooter need only think of Tommy Walsh and Henry Shefflin, both largely confined to the bench this year despite holding 17 All-Irelands between them, to remind himself of the strength of Cody’s deck.

“The atmosphere and the form is good at the moment. Thankfully everyone got through the club games and everyone is at a full bill of health.

“It’s dog eat dog in there at the moment for a starting 15 and then of course for the panel of 26 because we have an extremely strong panel of about 36 fellas.”

A hamstring complaint kept him out of the opener against Offaly, while he sustained a knee injury in the drawn game against Galway. Power missed the subsequent relay victory over the Tribesmen and the Dublin game, but set his sights on a return in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Richie Power scores a goal Tommy Grealy / INPHO Tommy Grealy / INPHO / INPHO

The 28-year-old was back to his menacing best against Limerick, scoring a vital goal, but he admitted there was a sense of frustration during his spell on the sidelines.

“I put in a lot of work pre-season and came back in relatively good shape and you feel as if it’s all taken away from you when you pick up an injury. After the Galway game I was set a target and I set a goal to be back for a semi final and to play some part.

“I reached that goal and now we’re where we want to be and it’s up to myself now individually to push on the extra bit further and throw my hat in the ring for a starting place or a start even on the 26.”

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