After winning eight All-Ireland titles, Richie Power announced his retirement from inter-county hurling earlier today.
Power has recently struggled with knee injuries and played his last game in the black and amber in last year's All-Ireland Final against Galway in Croke Park.
Brian Hogan won seven All-Ireland titles with Kilkenny and was part of the team with Power in those years. He spoke to Newstalk Sport's Oisin Langan earlier today once Power's decision was made public.
Power made only one appearance in last year's Championship and that came off the bench in the All-Ireland final, a point which Hogan felt showed how good the 30-year-old was; "Richie is one of those unique players where the rest of us need a lot of hurling to get the touch right and to be sharp. Riche just seems to be able to slot back in... He is probably one of the most natural hurlers I have ever hurled with."
Hogan played against Power in club matches throughout their careers and also in training games within the Kilkenny squad. "He could make you look like a fool on the pitch with one touch of the ball. He had everything. He was very strong in the air. He had a super touch and was as sweet a striker of the ball as you will ever see."
Despite Power's loss, Hogan expects the team to power on next year. "The lads showed last year that players will come and go but the bus will keep moving on. Kilkenny will be Kilkenny and that is the mantra that Brian (Cody) spells out to the players."
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