Richie Power has revealed how Kilkenny's early championship exit last year was the motivation behind their latest All-Ireland triumph.

Many were quick to brand the Cats a spent force after their 2013 All-Ireland SHC quarter-final loss to Cork, but they bounced back in the best possible fashion this year.

"Yeah, a lot of people wrote us off coming out of Thurles last year, they said this team is finished, to me that hurt a lot of guys. To see the commitment of lads to go back training when they did last year, that showed they were hurting, that drives you on and got us over the line today," he explained.

"A lot went back early, they did. I went back myself a week after the county final, I knew myself I had to!

"Those are the things you have to do but you get your rewards and this is one of the sweetest we've ever won."

Richie wasn't surprised to see his young brother and fellow goal-scorer John called up for yesterday's replay.

"He was there in the Leinster final, he was there competing, as Brian (Cody) says it's always done on training and he was showing form, he got his chance and he took it," he added.

"It's one of those days, Walter (Walsh) had it in 2012 and it's up to these guys now to push on next year. He's set the marker and now he needs to go above that.

"It was, it was more emotional for mam and dad than it was for the two of us, I think they were up at six this morning to walk the block.

"They're immensely proud. I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for them, I'm looking forward to seeing them back at the hotel and over the next couple of days we can sit down and really reflect. Obviously this is one we won't forget in a hurry."

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