Does Shefflin have the fitness to go the distance?

Forgive us for swimming against the tide and not entertaining the one question hurling enthusiasts have been poring over all week — will Henry Shefflin march behind the Artane Band on Sunday afternoon?

The statistics surrounding the 35-year old play like a broken record at this stage — started in 13 All-Ireland finals since making his championship debut in 1999, even lining out against Tipperary in 2010 though carrying a knee injury.

The above headline is more concerned with the statistics of 2014 and instead enquires as to whether Shefflin still possesses the fitness to survive 70 minutes inside the whitewash. In the five league games this spring where Shefflin was selected from the first whistle, he saw out all five, including the extra-time decider against Tipperary.

His championship preparations were offset in the weeks after the league final triumph, a stress fracture sidelining the Kilkenny forward for six weeks.

Injury derailed his involvement in the Leinster quarter-final win over Offaly, coming on as a second-half substitute against Galway (both the drawn and replay encounter), Dublin and Limerick thereafter — Shefflin’s championship involvement amounting to 50 minutes. And so we again pose the question: does the outstanding hurler of the modern era possess the fitness to go the distance on hurling’s most important Sunday?

One man with the inside track is former Tipperary hurler and current Ballyhale Shamrocks manager Colm Bonnar.

“There is no doubt Henry has 70 minutes in him,” asserted Bonnar.

“Certainly, at club level he has been in flying form and motoring comfortably for the full hour. It is a big call for Cody as to whether he starts him. What I can say with certainty is that he is in great shape. In one championship game this summer he picked off 0-6 from open play and also hit a another handful of frees.

Added to that, he has been delivering perfect passes to the likes of Colin Fennelly and creating the openings for players to find the net. In tight games he is the man you want, irrespective of the level. Regardless of whether he starts or comes off the bench on Sunday his influence will be notable. His experience on the big day is unrivalled.

“There is no doubt Henry is a game-changer. If Cody does start Richie Power, he then does need to perhaps hold someone in reserve in case the game goes against them and impact subs are required. I think Brian will probably again spring Henry in the second-half as he has been doing all summer. If he does, that will be a tactical call, it won’t be one made in light of Henry’s fitness.”