Preview: Clare and Cork can conjure another classic All-Ireland hurling final

All-Ireland final day and new champions to be crowned.

Just six years ago, hurling fans rejoiced at the romance of Limerick ending a 45-year drought. Now they revel in the novelty of a big day without them.

Such is the price of greatness. Today's finalists have spent long enough in the neighbour's shadow and have their own bare cupboards to worry about.

Cork, second in hurling’s roll of honour with 30 titles, have not brought Liam MacCarthy home since 2005, their longest ever wait eclipsing rivals Tipperary’s 18 from 1971-89.

Clare won just their fourth All-Ireland in 2013, after a replay against the Rebels illuminated by eight goals, including the then-19-year-old Shane O’Donnell’s hat-trick.

O’Donnell is among five Banner survivors from that day, alongside David McInerney, John Conlon, Tony Kelly and sub Seadna Morey.

Cork have three: Veteran forwards Seamus Harnedy, Conor Lehane and Patrick Horgan, the 36-year-old who is three points away from retaking the all-time scoring record from TJ Reid but would settle for scoring one and ridding himself of the unofficial 'best current player not to win an All-Ireland’ belt.

They have taken the long road to get here - it is the first final in either code between two sides already beaten twice in championship.

Both had to rebuild after opening-day trauma in April.

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For Cork, it was the surprise defeat to Waterford in round one of Munster that led to manager Pat Ryan performing emergency surgery.

Out went Lehane, Damien Cahalane, Mark Coleman, Ger