Aaron Gillane responds in kind for Limerick.

The holders draw level.

Both teams on the board early doors as a wide comes in from Limerick's Seamus Flanagan.

There's a nerve settler for Galway as Evan Niland strokes over an early point.

That's point number 69 for the campaign for him by the way.

Here we go.

James Owens is the man with the whistle by the way.

Image source, Inpho

Ciaran Carey
Three-time Limerick All-Star on BBC Sport NI

Limerick are the best in the business at manipulating space and Aaron Gillane seems to get that all the time. He is absolutely lethal, he has been one of Limerick's best players. He has gone to a new level this year.

Throw-in is almost upon us.

The band is still playing and the players are on the pitch.

How are your nerves Galway and Limerick fans?

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Neil McManus
Former Antrim star on BBC Sport NI

Image source, Getty Images

Recently-retired Antrim star Neil McManus is a part of the BBC's coverage this weekend. Earlier today, he popped on Summer Sportsound on BBC Radio UIster & BBC Sounds to preview this evening's semi-final:

"These two teams are well-acquainted having played each other in the All-Ireland semi-final last year.

"That one came down to the wire and I expect nothing different today. Galway will be buoyed after beating Tipperary last day out but this Limerick juggernaut has stopped for nobody and they'll be hard to derail.

"Galway have to get Conor Whelan on the ball as much as possible. He's been their in-form forward, he's very tricky and has that electric pace. Galway need to isolate him with one of the defenders because he's unbelievably direct."

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Limerick manager John Kiely on BBC Two NI: "During the four weeks we needed a bit of rest. The first week we had some down time away from hurling after a tough Munster campaign and final.

"The last two and a half weeks have been all about preparing for this game and the four weeks have flown in, I don't know where they have gone. We are in good shape and look forward to the game.

"Injuries and challenges come your way in every competition and it is up to us to respond. We are fortunate our group is talented and are very experienced."

Former Tipperary forward John 'Bubbles' O'Dwyer says Kilkenny will win this year's All-Ireland Hurling title and believes it will represent a triumph that is good for the game.

O'Dwyer told BBC Sounds' The GAA Social that current inter-county action is "over-coached and over-structured".

"If Kilkenny break Limerick that might bring it back to the more expressive brand of hurling," said O'Dwyer.

"For whatever reason, I just fancy Kilkenny to win the All-Ireland."

Read more of his thoughts here.

Image source, Inpho

Galway will be hungry for revenge in a repeat of last year's semi-final classic that resulted in a 0-27 to 1-21 for champions Limerick at Croke Park.

The Tribesmen, managed by Kilkenny legend Henry Shefflin, are aiming to reach their first All-Ireland final since 2018, which they lost to Limerick.

Galway, whose senior footballers also lost last year's All-Ireland final, were denied a first Leinster title since 2018 by Kilkenny, who clinched the Bob O'Keefe Cup with a sensational last-puck winning goal by Cillian Buckley.

Galway looked destined for the title after an impressive second-half comeback from eight points down inspired by substitute Jordan Flynn's goal, but fell short due to a late surge from the Cats.

The loss at Croke Park meant Galway would have to see off Tipperary in the quarter-finals at the Gaelic Grounds in order to earn another trip to the capital.

The gripping encounter found Galway in a similar position to the Leinster final, but Shefflin's men avoided further heartache to hang on and earn a 1-20 to 1-18 victory over Tipp.

Now their biggest challenge awaits. The seemingly unstoppable force that is Limerick.

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Liam Cahill
Tipperary hurling manager on BBC Sport NI

Limerick can manage the four-week period off, they've done it before. They came through a hugely intense Munster campaign so I think they'll come here today rejuvenated and ready to go.

Neil McManus
Former Antrim star on BBC Sport NI

Gearoid Hegarty moved into the back line. He was hurler of the year at wing forward but will play as a defender here today. It's a big change to the Limerick system and it'll be interesting to see how they adapt to that.

But this Limerick team have shown before that they can be flexible.

I'd say Daithi Burke will detailing Aaron Gillane every step of the way. Daithi will need to curtail his influence if Galway are to come out on top today.

Limerick's recent dominance in Munster and the All-Ireland series makes them strong favourites to win their fourth consecutive Liam MacCarthy Cup, a feat only previously achieved by Cork between 1941 and 1944 and Kilkenny between 2006 and 2009.

John Kiely's side secured their 11th All-Ireland title last year after running out 1-31 to 2-26 winners in an epic battle with Kilkenny at Croke Park.

The Shannonsiders will feel it is their time to create history and cement their status as one of hurling's greatest ever teams.

Limerick earned themselves a spot in this year's semi-finals following an enthralling encounter against Clare in the Munster final at the Gaelic Grounds last month.

The dramatic decider came down to the dying moments with Clare being denied a last-ditch free, resulting in a narrow 1-23 to 1-22 victory for the holders.

Limerick lifted the Mick Mackey Cup for a record-equalling fifth time in a row alongside Cork, who have achieved that feat on three separate occasions.

Image source, Inpho

Recently-retired Antrim star Neil McManus made his debut as a BBC Sport NI columnist this week to look ahead to the big weekend of All-Ireland semi-final action.

He fancies Limerick and Kilkenny to make it through to the final, but that's just scratching the surface of his thoughts.

Read more of what he had to say here

Image source, BBC Sport

Ciaran Carey
Three-time Limerick All-Star

Limerick are not as dominant and winning games as easily. They had a tough Munster final and campaign. It is a good sign they are still winning whilst playing poor.

I am expecting a big performance today from Limerick. If Limerick can crank their performance up by 20% they should win. If they don't improve their performance, the question is can Galway capitalise?

Galway and Limerick fans young and old make their way to Croke Park in high spirits ahead of this evening's game.

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

Image source, Inpho

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

It has been mentioned that enough is enough and when a team has beaten you so many times you get into a mindset, and I think Galway could be in that mindset. The Limerick team looks so strong but I’m expecting a massive challenge from Galway.

Limerick have a few injury worries heading into this evening's game.

With captain Declan Hannon ruled out, Kyle Hayes has been shifted to centre-back with three-time All-Star forward Gearoid Hegarty named at wing-back.

Two-time hurler of the year Cian Lynch - who missed the Munster final - takes Hegarty's place in the half-forward line, while Peter Casey replaces Graeme Mulcahy at left corner-forward.

Meanwhile, Galway manager Henry Shefflin, who won 10 All-Ireland titles as a player, has named an unchanged team for the encounter.

Limerick: Nickie Quaid; Mike Casey, Dan Morrisey, Barry Nash; Diarmaid Byrnes, Kyle Hayes, Gearoid Hegarty; Darragh O'Donovan, Will O'Donoghue; David Reidy, Cian Lynch, Tom Morrissey; Aaron Gillane, Seamus Flanagan, Graeme Mulcahy.

Subs: David McCarthy, Conor Boylan, Ronan Connolly, Aaron Costelloe, Colin Coughlan, Adam English, Richie English, Graeme Mulcahy, Barry Murphy, Cathal O'Neill, Oisin O'Reilly.

Galway: Eanna Murphy; Jack Grealish, Daithi Burke, Darren Morrissey; Padraic Mannion, Gearoid McInerney, Joseph Cooney; Sean Linnane, Cathal Mannion; Ronan Glennon, Cianan Fahy, Kevin Cooney; Conor Whelan, Brian Concannon, Evan Niland.

Subs: Darach Fahy, TJ Brennan, Fintan Burke, Adrian Tuohy, Liam Collins, Tiernan Killeen, Tom Monaghan, Conor Cooney, Declan McLoughlin, Gavin Lee, Jarlath Mannion.

Image source, BBC Sport

New to hurling?

Not totally au fait with the rules and dynamics of the game?

Or haven't watched it in a while and would like a refresher?

No problem, we have you sorted with this short video that explains the sport loved by so many.

It is the calm before the storm at Croke Park ahead of the big start in just over half an hour's time.

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