Aidan O'Connor swipes over Limerick's fourth successive score.

Diarmuid Byrnes makes it three points from three frees with another expertly taken score.

Jamesie O'Connor
Two-time All-Ireland winner with Clare on BBC Sport NI

Limerick have had joy with their runners so far and that is not good from a Galway defence's point of view.

It feels like, so far, Limerick have had the better of the early chances.

Image source, Inpho

Cathal O'Neill hits another wide for Limerick.

Diarmuid Byrnes nudges Limerick ahead with a drilled free from far out.

Watch Galway keeper Darach Fahy deny Geroid Hegarty an early goal at Croke Park with a big save.

There is a bit of afters between the two sides after a real battle for the sliotar out by the touchline.

Padraic Mannion and Adam English both receive yellow cards for their parts in the handbags.

Adam English opts sensibly for a point when a goal chance looked to opening up and we're level again.

Mike Casey fouls Jason Rabbitte again and receives a yellow card.

He will have to be careful now especially as Rabbitte has had the upper hand so far in their battles.

A simple free for Aaron Niland to stroke over.

Image source, Inpho

Adam English's long-range drive dips and hits the post, but there is no one there in green to capitalise.

Peter Casey pulls an effort wide for Limerick at the other end.

Cathal Mannion tries to fire between the posts from way out but his effort drifts wide.

Galway draw level as Jason Rabbitte is clipped while charging forward and Aaron Niland is on target with another free.

Another big save from Darach Fahy, who once again denies Geroid Hegarty.

The Limerick man drove forward and flicked the ball towards goal with his foot and Fahy reacted well to tip it away.

Galway will be concerned that Hegarty has got in behind twice but will be relieved he has not taken either opportunities.

Tom Monaghan races clear of his marker but takes the shot early and it drops short.

It's been a frantic start in the sun.

Diarmuid Byrnes takes the resulting 65 and splits the posts from long range to edge Limerick ahead.

Darach Fahy with a flying save to deny Geroid Hegarty a goal.

Aaron Gillane slipped the ball inside to Hegarty and he fired goalward, but his fierce strike is beaten away for a 45.

We have an alternative viewing option available for today's final and it's a pretty cool one.

You can watch a player cam which will track and solely focus on Limerick's Gearoid Hegarty in the first half of the game and Galway's Jason Rabbitte in the second half.

You can do so by pressing the play button which can be found in the 'watch and listen' section at the top of this page.

Enjoy!

Image source, BBC Sport

Limerick respond as Aaron Gillane swivels and pops over his first point of the game.

An early free from Aaron Niland is nailed and Galway are off the mark.