Kilkenny 1-17 Offaly 0-12:CHAMPIONS KILKENNY were were left with mixed feelings after they opened their campaign with a far from taxing win at Nowlan Park yesterday.

The win got Kilkenny off to a strong start but it turned out to be a costly exercise. Star attacker Richie Power picked up a head/neck injury and was taken by ambulance to hospital.

Team officials said afterwards the injury might not be very serious, but they were taking no chances.

The Carrickshock man was Kilkenny’s best attacker up until he was injured. Almost on half-time Power was in an accidental collision with an opponent and he was left prostrate on the ground.

The first medical person to reach him was Kilkenny physio Robbie Lodge, who immediately the settle the player who was laid flat on the grass. Lodge was then joined by team doctor Bill Cuddihy.

The injury was sustained in a similar fashion to Ireland rugby captain Brian O’Driscoll during Saturday’s Six nations win over England. A hush descended on the venue as the player lay without movement on the ground.

The play continued around him for a while before the referee blew for half-time.

However, by the time the players were ready to return to the pitch Power was only being taken by stretcher into the ambulance that had driven on to the field.

Last night he was said to be comfortable in St Luke’s Hospital, Kilkenny.

By the time he departed the scene, the 24 year-old had set up Kilkenny for the win.

He scored eight points as Kilkenny opened out a 0-10 to 0-7 lead at half-time after playing against the breeze.

However, were it not for Power it is hard to know where Kilkenny would have found scores in this half.

“It was good to open the league with a win,” said Kilkenny manager Brian Cody afterwards. “We now face two tough away games, against Tipperary and Cork, so it was vital to win this one.

“The team did well but no one will be getting carried away. This is a tough league, but we are up for the challenge.”

Offaly couldn’t win any ball off the Kilkenny half-back line. Hurler-of-the-year Tommy Walsh and JJ Delaney were excellent on the wings, while Jackie Tyrrell was hugely impressive at centre back.

The James Stephens man could be a real contender for the position as the season moves on. It was the same with All-Star midfielder Michael Rice, who looked very comfortable in the second half and stepped forward as the new attack leader in the absence of his clubmate.

The Offaly full-back line of Paul Cleary, Michael Verney and especially David Kenny played very well. However, their attack rarely threatened and were it not for free-taker Shane Dooley, who landed nine scores, they could have been in serious trouble.

Goalkeeper Brian Mullins also looked sharp.

“Kilkenny were comfortable winners,” admitted Offaly manager Joe Dooley. “Kilkenny looked easy all the way. We couldn’t get a thing off their half-back line, which has to be one of the best that ever played the game. We stepped up on last Sunday’s form, but we still have a long way to go.”

The game was put beyond all doubt in the 41st minute when Aidan Fogarty goaled for the home side.

Walsh started the move from the right wing-back position by playing a short ball to Rice in midfield.

The All-Star galloped 50 metres through the heart of the Offaly defence before creating an opening for Fogarty, who bagged the vital score from 14 metres.

Offaly had the next score from Shane Dooley, but they never looked like making a game of it as Kilkenny slipped home at their ease.

KILKENNY: PJ Ryan; C Hickey, B Hogan, J Dalton; T Walsh, J Tyrrell, JJ Delaney; W O'Dwyer, PJ Delaney (0-1); R Hogan (0-2, frees), M Rice (0-3), A Fogarty (1-1); M Grace (0-1), E McGrath, R Power (0-8, six frees, one 65). Subs:J Mulhall (0-1) for Power (inj, 35 mins), P Hogan for McGrath (46 mins), P Hartley for Hogan (65 mins).

OFFALY: B Mullins; P Cleary, D Kenny, M Verney; D Horan, E Murphy, D Morkan; J Rigney, R Hanniffy (0-1); C Mahon, G Healion (0-1), B Carroll; S Dooley (0-9, seven frees, one 65), D Molloy, C Parlon. Subs:J Bergin for Murphy (half-time), O Kealey for Carroll (48 mins), D Franks for Cleary (inj), J Brady for Molloy (both 55 mins), D Hayden (0-1) for Parlon (70 mins).

Referee: J Ryan (Tipperary).