FORMER MUNSTER AND Ireland back-row Alan Quinlan feels his native Tipperary might just nudge it against Cork in the semi-final of the National Hurling League this Sunday.

Tipperary will have home advantage at Semple Stadium and Quinlan – who earned 27 caps for Ireland and appeared for Munster on 204 occasions – can’t see past Declan Ryan’s men.

“It’s going to be a pretty easy one for us,” he laughed, in an interview with Red FM. “Ah no, I’m only joking. It was a draw a couple of weeks ago (in the duo’s previous league clash).

“From what I hear, Cork are improving. Jimmy Barry-Murphy, from what I hear, is doing a very good job and he’s a very astute, intelligent guy. So I’m sure he’s getting the best out of Cork.

“They’ve been in transition for the last couple of years so from what I hear there’s a lot of young guys coming through.

“For Tipperary, they have to try to bounce back from last year’s disappointment. Lar Corbett is gone now, they have a couple of new guys coming in.

“So hopefully we might just nudge it.”

Listen to Alan Quinlan’s interview on Red FM here.

We meet again: Pa Bourke expecting another tough test from Rebels