The Tribesmen's Jason Rabbitte has caught the eye this season, receiving the player of the match award in the semi-final after a mature performance. The youngster is thought to be a contender for young player of the year, and Limerick will be keen to keep him quiet.

As for Limerick, captain Cian Lynch is back after coming off the bench during the semi-final win over Clare and his inclusion will be a huge boost for his county.

An All-Star from last season, Gearoid Hegarty picked up man of the match during their semi-final win despite being the only member of the forward line to not score.

Image source, Getty Images

Ruairi Cunningham
BBC Sport NI at Croke Park

The Galway and Limerick teams have just taken to the pitch for warm-ups. I'm wearing noise cancelling headphones and that was deafening.

Thirty minutes to go.

This is going to be EPIC if that welcome is anything to go by.

The pitch looks to be in immaculate condition at Croke Park as always.

Image source, BBC Sport

Galway manager Micheal Donoghue names an unchanged team from their semi-final win over Cork, but in one late change on the bench, Declan McLaughlin replaces Brian Concannon.

Limerick boss John Kiely makes two changes to the side that overcame Clare in the last four.

Captain Cian Lynch, who was unable to start a fortnight ago as he recovered from a hamstring strain, is back in to partner Adam English at midfield, with Darragh O'Donovan dropping to the bench.

There is also a change at full-back with Mike Casey a straight swap for Dan Morrissey.

Galway: Darach Fahy; Joshua Ryan, Cillian Trayers, Darren Morrissey; Padraic Mannion, Daithi Burke, Ronan Glennon; Tiernan Killeen, Gavin Lee; Tom Monaghan, Cathal Mannion, Darragh Neary; Conor Whelan, Jason Rabbitte, Aaron Niland.

Subs: Eanna Murphy, Shane Morgan,Fintan Burke, Cian Daniels, Cianan Fahy, Conor Cooney, John Fleming, Sean Linnane, Cillian Whelan, Colm Molloy, Declan McLaughlin.

Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Sean Finn, Mike Casey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, William O'Donoghue, Kyle Hayes; Adam English, Cian Lynch; Gearoid Hegarty, Aidan O'Connor, Cathal O'Neill; Aaron Gillane, Shane O'Brien, Peter Casey.

Subs: Colin Ryan, Colin Coughlan, Fintan Fitzgerald, Matthew Fitzgerald, Hugh Flanagan, Ethan Hurley, Darragh Langan, Dan Morrissey, Tom Morrissey, Darragh O'Donovan, David Reidy.

Image source, BBC Sport

In the build-up to the big game, you can listen to a special episode of the GAA Social previewing the All-Ireland hurling final on BBC Sounds

Image source, BBC Sport

The two teams have arrived at a sunny Croke Park for this mammoth clash.

Image source, Getty Images

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Watch highlights as Aidan O'Connor scores a late goal to help Limerick edge past Clare 1-21 to 1-19 in a thrilling conclusion to their All-Ireland SHC semi-final at Croke Park.

Read more: Limerick strike late to deny Clare in a thriller

Let us know where you're watching the final from and your predictions for who will get their hands on the Liam MacCarthy Cup using the Get Involved button on this page.

Watch highlights as Galway beat Cork 2-26 to 1-18 to reach a first All-Ireland SHC final since 2018.

Read more: Galway dominate Cork to reach All-Ireland final

Galway began their campaign with a comfortable win over Kilkenny before beating Offaly, Kildare and Wexford and losing to Dublin in the Leinster round robin.

However, they would overcome the Dubs in the Leinster final thanks to a 4-29 4-15 victory.

In the semi-final, they were the victors after an impressive performance led to an 11-point win over Cork.

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As for Limerick, their Munster round-robin campaign got off to a bad start when they lost to Cork.

However, they overcame Clare, Waterford and Tipperary before beating Cork in the provincial final.

The Shannonsiders faced Clare in their semi-final and came away with a thrilling 1-21 1-19 win at Croke Park.

Image source, Getty Images

David Mohan
BBC Sport NI at Croke Park

We've just had the jubilee team introduced to the crowd and this year, it's Tipperary's 2001 vintage.

Nicky English's side beat Galway in that year's final - an omen for today?

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New to hurling?

Don't worry, we have you covered.

Ahead of the All-Ireland hurling final that you can watch live on this page or on BBC Two NI, BBC Sport explains all you need to know about the sport.

This video was first published in July 2024

'Next man up' is the Limerick philosophy and former Treaty star Seamus Flanagan feels that spread of potential match-winners will be crucial in today's All-Ireland final against Galway.

Flanagan was a key figure in each of Limerick's Liam MacCarthy Cup triumphs that began with a 2018 victory over Galway and while his time in county colours drew to a close at the end of last season, he is well aware of what makes his former team-mates tick.

Read more here

Image source, Inpho

Something to get you in the mood as we build up to the biggest game in the hurling calendar.

Former Kilkenny hurler Eddie Keher talks through the sport's significance across the island of Ireland.

David Mohan
BBC Sport NI at Croke Park

The sense of anticipation around Croke Park has been palpable from early morning.

Splashes of maroon and green were visible on the drive through Drumcondra and many fans have wasted no time getting into the stadium when the gates opened at 13:00.

Limerick fans know this terrain all to well, despite missing out on the past two finals, but with five titles in six years - beginning with a 2018 win over Galway - they come with an expectation they will reclaim their crown.

Galway have not been here since that 2018 defeat, but were champions the previous year and having produced two excellent performances in the Leinster final and All-Ireland semi-final, there is a quiet confidence they are ready to deliver.

That 2018 final proved to be a sliding doors moment as a young Limerick team kicked on, but will it be roles reversed this year and the Tribes' emerging stars fully announce their arrival.

Conditions are perfect, so it's all set up to be a cracking contest.

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The calm before the storm at Croke Park and a view from the BBC Sport NI's commentary position.

Image source, BBC Sport

You can watch the decider live on BBC Two, BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website & app. Coverage will start at 15:00 BST.

Holly Hamilton will be joined in studio by Limerick's five-time All-Ireland winner Seamus Flanagan, former All-Ireland winning captain with Galway David Burke and former Antrim star Neil McManus.

Thomas Niblock will be on commentary duties alongside two-time Clare All-Ireland winner Jamesie O'Connor and four-time All-Star Paul Murphy.

Mark Sidebottom will be gathering reaction pitchside and we'll have a few special guests joining Conor Phillips too which you'll have to keep an eye out for!

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The prize on offer today: the Liam MacCarthy Cup.

Who will have their hands on it by the end of this afternoon?

Image source, Inpho

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of today's All-Ireland Senior Hurling final between Galway and Limerick at Croke Park.

It is the biggest day in the hurling calendar and it has thrown up an interesting final pairing with the winners of Leinster and Munster facing off.

The final is a repeat of the 2018 showpiece when Limerick won and that kickstarted a period of dominance for the Treaty County, who won five All-Ireland finals in a row.

Galway have not won the Liam MacCarthy Cup since 2017 but have been building steadily and have blended youth and experience so well this year.

Will the Tribesmen continue their ascent or will it be Limerick who complete a hat-trick of trophies for 2026, having already secured Munster and league honours?

We will have you covered with all the action from Dublin, with the game live on BBC Two NI and BBC iPlayer.

We also have live text commentary and in-play clips so you won't miss any of the action.

Enjoy, it should be a cracker!

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