A few changes as John Conlon goes off and Diarmuid Stritch comes on for Clare.

David Reidy is on for Limerick in place of Darragh O'Donovan.

A big free from Mark Rodgers as they get off the mark 11 minutes into the second half.

Tony Kelly drops one short from range as Clare's wait for a point in this half continues.

Conor Cleary is off before he is sent off and Cian Galvin replaces him.

Gearoid Hegarty is incensed after he is hauled down by Conor Cleary, who is on a yellow card.

Thomas Walsh opts not to brandish a second yellow, but Cleary is walking a tightrope now and may be substituted soon.

Diarmuid Byrnes taps over a simple free.

Diarmuid Byrnes lands a point from way out and gestures to the Limerick fans to raise the noise again.

Momentum is with the Treaty County, who have started better in this second half.

Clare still waiting for their first score in the second period.

Conor Cleary goes into the book for a tug on the shirt.

Aidan O'Connor sweeps over the free.

Limerick fans are up on their feet and encouraging their side as they get back within three.

Shane O'Donnell with another wide after a hawk eye review and it's a poor one for a player of his quality.

Shane O'Donnell holds off a number of defenders and works the space for a shot but he is off target.

Cathal O'Neill then scoops one over from out on the right for the first point in the second half to narrow the gap to four.

Diarmuid Byrnes drills a long-range free wide.

Their wide count just keeps creeping up which they can ill-afford as they try to get back into this one.

Shane O'Brien is then penalised for overcarrying for the Munster champions.

Paul Murphy
Four-time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny on BBC Sport NI

You could see a flicker of the sharpness of Limerick there.

Aidan O'Connor hits an eighth wide for Limerick early in the second half.

Off we go again at Croke Park.

Seamus Flanagan
Five-time All-Ireland winner with Limerick

There's nothing won or lost in the first half. It's five points.

Jason Forde
Three-time All-Ireland winner with Tipperary

Clare have got their game plan spot on.

Seamus Flanagan
Five-time All-Ireland winner with Limerick

It's simple, the game is being played and dictated on Clare's terms.

The pick of the first-half points from Clare's Peter Duggan from way out wide.

Neil McManus
Former Antrim star on BBC Sport NI

I don't think five points will be enough, but if they can stretch it to seven or eight it could be enough.

David Mohan
BBC Sport NI at Croke Park

What a first half from Clare.

It's been rip-roaring stuff from the throw-in but the intensity and tenacity they have brought today has been so impressive.

Limerick have made it difficult too, especially from the restarts, but Clare are very up for this today, yet the Treaty have been here before and have plenty in reserve to turn this around.

The second half is set up brilliantly.

A scrappy first half comes to an end with Clare leading by five at the break.

They've taken their scores well and limited Limerick, who haven't really clicked yet.

John Kiely's side did manage to narrow the gap before the break and will hope to turn the tide in the second half.

Image source, Inpho

Cathal O'Neill whacks another one over just before the half-time whistle.