Cork goalkeeper Anthony Nash has been getting a few tips off his uncles as to what to expect in Sunday's All-Ireland hurling final.

The Rebel County's netminder supported Limerick in his younger years and watched his uncles, Mike and Declan Nash, line out for the Shannonsiders in the All-Ireland final defeats of 1994 (to Offaly) and 1996 (to Wexford).

The All Star goalkeeper revealed to the Irish Times that he has been getting some advice from his uncles as the build-up to this weekend's all-Munster decider against Clare continues to gather pace.

"In fairness to them, they're very close to the family, always have been. Even my cousin Barry (Nash) would have played in the minor semi-final the last day, and I'd always be in contact. They stay away from me at the same time because they don't want to be in my head but I always enjoy when I chat to them. They've been through it on two occasions.

"I know I was very young at the time, but even since I've realised the effort and the pain that they went through. I was at both those games, and was asked before, in a player-profile, that outside of playing, what's the hardest thing you've dealt with, and I said those two performances.

"As a young fella, I was very young at the time, I still would have considered them very tough. Losing last year's All-Ireland semi-final was similar enough heartbreak for me, and it's something that I suppose this year has helped us all."

When did he switch his allegiance to Cork?

"I suppose when they gave me the shout to be a Cork minor," he replied with a smile. "No, I suppose when the uncles stopped playing. I was actually born and christened in Limerick myself, but when the uncles stopped playing that kind of faded away. I was always red blood, really, is what I'm trying to say. It's a huge honour for me to be playing for Cork." Tweet

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