WE’VE TEAMED UP with UPMC – Official Healthcare Partner of the GAA/GPA – to produce a brand new Life Changing Moments podcast series.
Over an eight-week period, legendary former GAA players will open up about key performances that helped shape their illustrious careers and change their lives – on and off the pitch.
GIVEN THAT HIS family is steeped in Kilkenny hurling tradition, big things were expected of Richie Power from a young age.
His father, Richie Senior, enjoyed two senior All-Ireland successes with the Cats in the 1980s, while younger brother John has also gone on to lift the Liam McCarthy Cup twice at the age of 27.
Despite making the step up to senior level in 2005 after impressing with the minors and the U21s – as well as with his club Carrickshock and St Kieran’s College – the full-forward took time to really make his mark.
In the second episode, he speaks to The42′s Fintan O’Toole and singles out the 2010 All-Ireland semi-final against Cork as a turning point.
The now retired Power recalls how, on 8 August 2010, he inspired Kilkenny to victory over the Rebels by scoring 1-8 at Croke Park, following years of being hampered by injuries and inconsistent form.
“I won’t say that’s the day I came of age,” says Power, who would win a total of eight senior All-Ireland medals, “but with Henry [Shefflin] going off with a cruciate injury, I took over the free-taking and felt that was the day I stepped up as one of the leaders on the team – rather than being in the background.”
Personally, I felt very fit with no niggily injuries or anything hanging over me in the background,” he adds.
“The game was overshadowed by Henry’s injury, which was a huge thing. Obviously, you go out every day to be a leader but when you’re true leader goes off, it was like ‘Right, we need to step up to the mark here’.”
For the full interview, click the Soundcloud button at the top of the article or subscribe to The42 wherever you get your podcasts.
UPMC, Official Healthcare Partner of the GAA/GPA, has been providing expert healthcare in the South East since 2006. UPMC’s operations in Ireland include UPMC Whitfield Hospital in Waterford, UPMC Kildare Hospital in Clane, the UPMC Carlow Outreach Centre, UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre radiotherapy with locations at UPMC Whitfield and in Cork, and the UPMC Concussion Network. For more information on how UPMC provides life changing medicine to communities across Ireland, visit www.upmc.ie
