Jamesie O'Connor
Two-time All-Ireland winner with Clare on co-commentary

That is one of the greatest goals you are ever going to see scored in hurling anywhere never mind doing it on the biggest stage at Croke Park. Clare have got to find a response now; Cork's tails are up.

Aidan McCarthy free steadies Clare and they needed that as Cork have threatened to overrun them over the past five minutes.

Jamesie O'Connor
Two-time All-Ireland winner with Clare on co-commentary

The difference at the minute is the efficiency. Cork have scored seven from seven and they're off to a flyer. If they maintain that they will win this game.

That's a magical score by Seamus Harnedy out on the left and Shane Barrett adds another. Cork have flown out of the traps.

Patrick Horgan converts his first free of the day.

Clare getting on plenty of ball but David Fitzgerald drills their fourth wide, whereas Cork have taken all their early chances.

Jamesie O'Connor
Two-time All-Ireland winner with Clare on co-commentary

That is more like it from Clare and on a positive note, Tony Kelly is starting to get more involved and making things happen. Lovely pass to Diarmuid Ryan, who nails it.

Make that a brace for Ryan as Clare level, but Brian Hayes checks in with one of his own to restore Cork's advantage.

Mark Rodgers makes it third time lucky for Clare as he opens their account and Diarmuid Ryan adds a second.

No such shooting issues for Cork as Shane Barrett shows a clean pair of heels to race clear and score. We're four minutes in.

Clare's first attack comes to nothing as Peter Duggan drills wide, followed by another past the posts by David McInerney.

Jamesie O'Connor
Two-time All-Ireland winner with Clare on co-commentary

Clare need to weather this early cork storm and get a score. There are signs of nerves in the Clare team, Cork making the more impressive start and are in their flow.

Seamus Harnedy doubles the lead. Good start for the Rebels as they led by two within a minute of the throw-in.

Tim O'Mahony takes off and puts Cork into the lead.

Referee Johnny Murphy throws the ball in and we are under way. Clare with the breeze attacking Hill 16.

Jamesie O'Connor
Two-time All-Ireland winner with Clare on co-commentary

This is one of the greatest days in the Irish sporting calendar, 82,000 people in Croke Park. The atmosphere from both counties all week has been superb. It is set up to be a classic and I hope it delivers.

The teams have lined up behind the Artane Band and a packed-out Croke Park rises for the parade. It's such a unique aspect to big days in Gaelic Games. The noise and colour is something to behold.

Talismanic Cork forward Patrick Horgan insists his career will not be defined by whether or not he becomes an All-Ireland winner.

With over 700 championship points scored, three Munster titles and four All-Stars, Horgan is widely regarded as one of the finest players of his generation.

He has, however, never tasted success on hurling's biggest day, losing All-Ireland finals with Cork in 2013 and 2021.

But Horgan insists that while having a Celtic Cross medal is a "big deal", he is driven by his love of hurling, not the prospect of adding to his trophy cabinet.

"I've always said this, that it's just a thing to have," said the Glen Rovers club-man.

"But it's not why I do it, definitely. I love playing hurling and I love playing with this group of players. I get on really well with them all.

"After the semi-final the final, the prize wasn't the final. For me, it was like 'we're training Tuesday night and that's really important'. To our group it is important."

Read more from Horgan here.

Image source, Inpho

The teams are about to be presented to President, Michael D Higgins as the warm-ups are complete. It's starting to get very close now.