Referee Johnny Murphy throws the ball in and we are underway.

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We asked our experts who they think will be the first team though to the All-Ireland hurling final on July 20.

Paul Murphy (four-time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny): "Cork will be coming into Saturday's semi-final as big favourites.

"Dublin, after beating Limerick in one of the biggest shocks in the history of modern hurling, will have a lot of support from people around the county who are hoping there will be an upset. The thing coming into this game is the element of surprise they had against Limerick isn't there now.

Jamesie O'Connor (two-time All-Ireland winner with Clare): "Cork are everyone's favourites for the All-Ireland, given how narrowly they were beaten by Clare in the final last year, and then they took out Limerick in this year's Munster final.

"They wouldn't have envisaged meeting Dublin, whose win over Limerick has blown the whole thing wide open. The only danger for Cork is not treating Dublin with the respect they deserve."

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Seamus Flanagan (five-time All-Ireland winner with Limerick): "The Cork-Dublin game is two teams coming in with huge confidence.

"Cork are coming off the back of a league title and Munster title, and then what Dublin produced against Limerick two weeks ago will really stand to them. I like what Dublin manager Niall O Ceallachain is adding to Dublin. He is a cool character on the sideline and he is instilling a lot of confidence into the side."

Neil McManus (former Antrim captain): "Dublin manager Niall O Ceallachain is transforming hurling in the county, taking Na Fianna to the All-Ireland Club title in January and was close to returning Dublin to Division 1A in the league. Not making back-to-back Leinster finals will have hurt them, but here they are in an All-Ireland semi-final.

"Cork have strength-in-depth and seem to be the complete package. They will be yearning for a return to the biggest day in the hurling calendar to right the wrongs of last July when they lost to Clare."

Croke Park is awash with colour as the teams parade around the field and both sets of fans are making huge noise. We're just minutes away.

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Our team of expert analysts for this weekend is comprised of Clare's two-time All-Ireland winner Jamesie O'Connor on co-commentary with Thomas Niblock, with Paul Murphy (four-time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny), Seamus Flanagan (five-time All-Ireland winner with Limerick) and former Antrim star Neil McManus pitch-side.

All four have given their opinions as to where today's game will be won and lost.

O'Connor: "Cork have the better forwards, particularly in the full-forward line. Brian Hayes - powerful, strong and skilful - was a big reason they won the Munster final because of the selfless work he did when competing for ball in the half-forward line. Alan Connolly is hugely underrated with an eye for goal and add in the experience of Patrick Horgan.

"Dublin have to put the shackles on them, whether it's Paddy Smyth on Hayes, then John Bellew or Conor McHugh on Connolly, they will take a huge step forward if they can hold up.

Murphy: "Dublin got real traction around the middle in the quarter-final. Sean Currie has been brilliant for them in the forwards, while at midfield, Conor Burke and Brian Hayes have been exceptional. You also have Conor McHugh, who was with the Dublin footballers for a number of years and has All-Ireland medals, so he'll bring big-game experience.

"Cork will look to shut those lads down but on the other side, Dublin will be looking to stop Darragh Fitzgibbon who is the main guy for Cork. He'll most likely be at midfield and making runs though that Dublin defence.

Flanagan: "Eoin Downey marking John Hetherton - whenever he does come on - is going to be a huge match-up.

"Brian Hayes around the middle for Dublin and also Cork's Brian Hayes in the forwards are both going to take massive marking, but I feel Patrick Horgan is still to get fully up to speed for Cork and he may have a huge bearing."

McManus: "The Dublin full-back line is not huge in stature, but very physical with Conor McHugh and John Bellew either side of full-back Paddy Smyth.

"The key battle will be how they handle the raw power and explosiveness of the Cork full-forward line. They were heroic again Limerick, but this challenge is a different level."

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Cork manager Pat Ryan, speaking to BBC Sport NI: "The pressure is being in an All-Ireland semi-final and facing a formidable team.

"We concentrate on ourselves and performing and we've prepared really well, so we are expecting a big performance from our guys. It's all about ourselves today and how we want to perform to put our game on Dublin.

"They'll be trying to do exactly the same and it will be the team that wants it most. We've a huge travelling support and our lads' job is to respect that jersey, respect the people and respect the group, so we're expecting a huge performance."

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Dublin boss Niall O Ceallachain, speaking to BBC Sport NI: "All hurling teams battling out for the Liam MacCarthy want to be in this Saturday and Sunday, it's the weekend for all hurling people.

"We very much wanted to be here. From a management perspective, it's a full house [in the stadium] and it's brilliant. It's seldom full here apart from hurling and football finals. We're ready for it, the same as they are.

"We need to get to a higher level again [than what we showed against Limerick]. We're in no doubt that. It's a big challenge. We need to be not as good, but actually better."

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In today's opening game at Croke Park, Waterford moved into the semi-finals of the All-Ireland Camogie Championship as they pulled away in the final quarter to claim a 2-20 to 2-10 win over Clare.

Down are through to the semi-finals of the Intermediate Championship thanks to a 2-13 to 0-10 win over Meath, while Offaly were 3-18 to 2-9 winners against Carlow.

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

For Cork, when you're going for an All-Ireland final, you have to accept you'll become favourites at some stage - and you just have to own it.

Munster champions Cork welcome back team captain Rob Downey, who has recovered from a hamstring injury to slot back in at centre-back as Cormac O'Brien drops out due to a quad injury.

In another of the three changes from their penalty shootout win in the provincial decider last month, Niall O'Leary returns at corner-back in place of Damien Cahalane with his groin injury cleared.

In attack, Declan Dalton is another coming back from injury having recovered from the hamstring problem that forced him out of the Limerick game, but a similar issue means Seamus Harnedy is absent for the weekend.

There is a further boost for Pat Ryan's team as Ger Mellerick is fit for a place on the bench, having been absent last month due to a fractured finger.

Dublin manager Niall O Ceallachain has made changes for Saturday's semi-final as the red card picked up by team captain Chris Crummey in the win against Limerick in the quarter-final means he is suspended.

Conor Burke, who scored five points from midfield in the victory against the Treaty, deputises at centre-back, with Conor Donohoe returning from his own suspension to partner Brian Hayes at midfield.

In attack, a late switch to the team names sees John Hetherton start with Darragh Power dropping to the bench.

Cork: Patrick Collins; Niall O'Leary, Eoin Downey, Sean O'Donoghue; Ciarán Joyce, Rob Downey, Mark Coleman; Tim O'Mahony, Darragh Fitzgibbon; Diarmuid Healy, Shane Barrett, Declan Dalton; Patrick Horgan, Alan Connolly, Brian Hayes.

Subs: Brion Saunderson, Damien Cahalane, Ger Millerick, Tommy O'Connell, Ethan Twomey, Luke Meade, Brian Roche, Jack O'Connor, Shane Kingston, Robbie O'Flynn, Conor Lehane.

Dublin: Sean Brennan; John Bellew, Paddy Smyth, Conor McHugh; Paddy Doyle, Conor Burke, Andrew Dunphy; Conor Donohoe, Brian Hayes; Rian McBride, Fergal Whitely, John Hetherton; Sean Currie, Ronan Hayes, Cian O'Sullivan.

Subs: Eddie Gibbons, Donal Burke, Colin Currie, Paddy Dunleavy, Daire Gray, Darragh PowerAJ Murphy, David Lucey, Paul O'Dea, Diarmaid O Dulaing, Conal O Riain.

Image source, BBC Sport

The final four in contention for the Liam MacCarthy Cup will have their credentials severely tested over the next two days on All-Ireland hurling semi-final weekend.

Tomorrow, age-old rivals Kilkenny and Tipperary go to battle once more (16:00 BST) but our gaze today is firmly fixed on the meeting of Cork and Dublin (17:00 BST).

The sold-out signs went up earlier this week as GAA headquarters will be packed to the rafters for this most intriguing clash as Cork, the favourites to win it all and bridge a 20-year gap without hurling's biggest prize, take on the surprise package in Dublin.

Last year, the Rebels came up short in the final after extra-time and there is a steely determination on the banks of the Lee to right that wrong as Pat Ryan's side has already secured league and Munster honours, but it's the big one they crave.

As for the Dubs, they arrive for today's semi-final having gone the scenic route due to their third-place finish in Leinster, meaning they had to negotiate a preliminary quarter-final against Kildare before turning the championship upside down with a remarkable victory over Limerick.

The good news is you can take it all in with us, with coverage starting at 16:40 BST on BBC Two NI, the BBC iPlayer & BBC Sport website & app.

No hype is needed. Strap yourselves in and enjoy.

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