All roads lead to Croke Park today for the second chapter of 'the greatest final ever'.

These two arch rivals finished level - Kilkenny 3-22, Tipperary 1-28 - three weeks ago and the scene is set for another epic encounter.

Eamonn O'Shea's Tipp squandered two penalties before battling back from a four point deficit to snatch a share of the spoils.

Kilkenny, meanwhile, breathed a sigh of relief when Hawk-Eye ruled John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer's long range stoppage time free a miss.

The Cats cancelled a planned meal in Citywest on the night of the drawn game and headed straight home to commence preparations for the replay.

They found themselves in a similar situation against Galway two years ago but Brian Cody doesn't subscribe to the theory that they possess an advantage as a result.

"We have no advantage going into the replay. This is a whole new game. It will take on a life of its own. Having gone through a replay before makes no difference.

"All I know is that it is going to be another tough and close encounter. There has been nothing between Kilkenny and Tipperary in big matches in recent years.

"Once the ball is thrown in, the game could go either way."

Tipp's preparations have been hindered by injury concerns over captain Brendan Maher (calf) and influential centre-forward Patrick 'Bonner' Maher (quad) but both are expected to be fit to line up for the throw-in.

Manager Eamonn O'Shea will be looking for more of the same from Seamus Callanan, Lar Corbett, Noel McGrath and O'Dwyer as they look to get their hands on the Liam McCarthy silverware for the 27th time in their distinguished history.

He will also have to come up with a plan to curb Richie Hogan's influence and Michael Cahill gave an impressive audition for that job after he came on three weeks ago.

Looking back over the drawn game, it would appear that Kilkenny have the greater room for improvement and are tipped to shade a tight contest.

Irrespective of the outcome, if the replay is half as good a game as the first then all neutrals will be happy!

Verdict - Kilkenny.

Kilkenny team: Eoin Murphy; Paul Murphy, JJ Delaney, Jackie Tyrrell; Padraig Walsh, Kieran Joyce, Killian Buckley; Richie Hogan, Conor Fogarty; Michael Fennelly, Colin Fennelly, Eoin Larkin; Richie Power, TJ Reid, John Power.

Tipperary team: Darren Gleeson; Cathal Barrett, Padraic Maher, Paddy Stapleton; Brendan Maher, James Barry, Kieran Bergin; Shane McGrath, James Woodlock; Gearóid Ryan, Patrick Maher, John O'Dwyer, Noel McGrath, Seamus Callanan, Lar Corbett.

Match details: Saturday, Croke Park, 5pm.

Referee: Brian Gavin (Offaly).

Odds: Kilkenny evens, Draw 8/1, Tipperary 11/10.

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