Expect Waterford at their very best, warns Browne

ALAN BROWNE has a very clear idea of what he expects from his team-mates in the lead-up to Sunday’s Guinness Munster hurling final.

Emphasising the importance of treating Waterford with the respect they have earned, the Cork captain says that they need to be mindful of their sparkling display in last year’s final against Tipperary. To rate them on their semi-final form in the replay with Limerick would only be inviting trouble.

Browne is the latest in the long line of Blackrock players who have led Cork and he’s very conscious of the club honour bestowed on him. In terms of longevity, he also happens to be the ‘senior’ member of the team, being one of five to make their debut in the 1995 championship game against Kerry. Three years later his brother John joined him in the squad, but is not involved this season. Like his older brother Richard (full-back on the successful 1986 team), he has had to sacrifice his inter-county career in order to pursue his professional career as a dentist in England. He says he misses the communication the pair would have before any big game, but jokes that most of all the family miss his tickets.