Tens of thousands of fans to pack into Croke Park for All-Ireland Hurling Final
While it's an all-Munster All-Ireland Hurling Final for the third time in six years it's the first ever meeting of Tipperary and Cork in the decider.
Huge traffic jams are expected to form on the N7 and other roads into the capital today as tens of thousands of fans head from the south in the direction of Croke Park.
Some Cork fans had planned to start their journey in the early hours of this morning hoping to beat the traffic by setting out early.
They were hoping to avoid huge queues at the motorway toll booths that led to 80-minute tailbacks near the town of Fermoy as fans travelled to the semi-final against Dublin two weeks ago.
There are fears there will be a repeat of those queues again today after appeals to open the toll booths for the day were turned down.
Such was the demand for transport to the match that all additional train services laid on by Irish Rail from Cork city's Kent Station to Dublin's Heuston were sold out days ago. Cork fans celebrate their side's fifth goal of the All-Ireland SHC semi-final victory over Dublin (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
Final fever has gripped both counties since their respective semi-final victories with many homes decorated with flags and bunting.
The scramble for tickets in recent days has been phenomenal amid criticism of the way GAA headquarters distributes the allocation to counties involved in the final.
But fans who missed out on a ticket can still soak up the big match atmosphere as many venues in both counties are showing the match live on big screens.
The second-biggest gathering of fans outside of Croke Park today will be at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh where the match will be broadcast to Cork fans.
Such was the demand that the 20,000 free tickets were snapped in within three hours last Thursday.
Chairperson of Cork GAA, Pat Horgan, said that demand for final tickets for the All-Ireland final is unprecedented. Cork's Declan Dalton and Sam O'Farrell of Tipperary (Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie)
He said: 'Unfortunately, not everyone will be able to attend Croke Park. With support of Cork City Council, we are delighted to bring back the Rebels' Fanzone (at Páirc Uí Chaoimh) which will allow supporters of all ages an opportunity to come together, and support an incredible team from right across the county.'
The rebel county might be odds on favourites to lift the Liam McCarthy cup but Tipperary fans believe if they can reproduce the semi-final form that overcame Kilkenny captain Ronan Maher will be lifting the trophy aloft when the final whistle blows.
Tipperary were outsiders at the start of the season but they've caused several major upsets and are planning to do it again today.
But Cork are not favourites for nothing and are acknowledged as having their best side in years and will be determined to bring the Liam McCarthy Cup to Leeside for the first time in two decades.
The stage is now set for what is expected to be a classic All-Ireland hurling final as these Munster arch rivals vie for supremacy.
Tipperary might have beaten Cork in the league in February but the Rebels had their revenge when they got the better of Liam Cahill's men in the league final. Tipperary's Jake Morris celebrates the All-Ireland under-21 final win over Cork in 2018. (Image: ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne)
Both Cork and Tipperary have named unchanged sides when they meet in today's All-Ireland hurling final.
Tipperary Manager Liam Cahill and Cork manager Pat Ryan both retained faith in their 15 member squads that beat Kilkenny and Dublin, respectively, in both recent semi-final outings.
The Rebels were many people's prediction to get to this stage from early this year, but Tipp have had to put a few bad seasons behind them to reach today's final.
Cork were edged out by a single point, 3-29 to 1-34, by Clare in last year's final so will be keen to make up for that heartbreak this time round.
On the other hand, Tipp last lifted the Liam MacCarthy Cup in 2019 and will aim to bridge that six-year gap by taking victory in today's showdown.
RTE 2 will show the game live in Ireland, while BBC Two will broadcast the action in the UK. RTE's coverage starts at 2.15pm, with the BBC's commencing at 3pm.
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