All-Ireland Hurling Final 2014: Kilkenny vs. Tipperary Live Stream and Preview

The 2014 All-Ireland Hurling final needs a replay to separate Kilkenny and Tipperary, which might just prove the perfect setting for legendary Kilkenny centre-forward Henry Shefflin.

There will be plenty of attention paid to whether Kilkenny boss Brian Cody unleashes Shefflin from the start despite his advancing years. If Shefflin is in the starting 15, expect the decorated 35-year-old to cause Tipperary defenders a whole host of problems.

No doubt wanting to downplay those potential problems, Tipp manager Eamon O'Shea is publicly declaring faith in his defenders to handle a Kilkenny onslaught.

Before a preview, here's some stream and schedule information for the final replay:

Date: Saturday, Sept. 27

Time: 5 p.m. (GMT)

Live Stream: Sky Go.

Cody's Selection Under the Spotlight

Cody's picks for the starting 15 will naturally draw a lot of attention, but none will generate the scrutiny Shefflin will. Cody has insisted he won't let his heart rule his head when deciding whether to start one of the game's true greats, per Irish Independent writer Cliona Foley:

"

Obviously there's huge media concentration on Henry because of the situation he is in, and because of what he has done over a very huge career.

But it's not about that for us, it never has been. The panel is there and we just work away as we always have done. There's not a pressure thing, from within, with regard to any player on the panel, whether he starts or doesn't.

The opportunity is there for all players to impress or put themselves in the frame. Is Henry in the frame? Of course he's in the frame.

"

Many Kilkenny fans will likely want to see Shefflin involved from the start. Even in the winter of his career, the regular GAA/GPA All-Star team selection is still a major threat.

However, he's been limited to making an impact off the bench for much of this season. It's not a role Shefflin, who has collected nine All-Ireland winners' medals, is particularly comfortable with.

That's according to ex-skipper Denis Byrne, per Irish Independent reporter Jackie Cahill:

"

I'd start him in the half-forward line because you need more speed in the full line. At this stage, his legs wouldn't be getting any faster.

I definitely think he's worth more than two or three minutes at the end of the game and he wouldn't want to be brought on as a token gesture at the end of the game for the sake of getting a medal.

"

It's understandable that a proud veteran like Shefflin won't want to be tossed a few minutes as an ode to his great career. Instead, he'll want the chance to prove he can still thrive on his sport's biggest stage.

Cahill's report also noted that Shefflin has been joined in "A" team training sessions by Padraig Walsh and Kieran Joyce. That's another sign that Cody could be ready to freshen things up for this replay.

In particular, right-sided half forward Walsh, who can also play wing-back, could form a dangerous partnership with Shefflin. The duo can certainly unnerve Tipperary defenders.

O'Shea Confident in Defenders

Speaking of Tipp's defenders, O'Shea is trusting them to repel the Kilkenny attack even if Shefflin is selected to lead it. Those defenders were tormented when the teams first met, but O'Shea doesn't believe he needs to over analyse the situation.

In another Irish Independent report, Cahill noted how O'Shea has resisted delving into a video breakdown of what went wrong in the previous meeting. Instead, he wants his defenders in confident mood in time for the replay:

"

It's less important what I think, it's more important what my defenders think. They wouldn't have been happy with some of the goals or some of our play. I don't think defensively we were at sea, we were playing a really good team.

You have to put it in perspective that you were playing an outstanding team.

"

Confidence aside, it will help to have Brendan Maher available. As team captain, the half-back is a vital on-pitch leader.

The presence of a midfield general like Maher is crucial when O'Shea places so much trust in his players making decisions that determine games. Fortunately O'Shea has confirmed his skipper will be ready to face Kilkenny at Croke Park. He'll also be joined by bullish centre-forward Patrick Maher, per Ian O' Riordan of The Irish Times.

O'Shea will certainly need all hands on deck to try to slow a rampant Kilkenny side down. However, that seems unlikely, especially if Shefflin is given the chance to dominate another final.