Cottrell first played
hurling at juvenile and underage levels with the
Toomevara club, winning numerous divisional championship titles before claiming both Tipperary MAHC and U21HC titles in 1986. He quickly progressed to adult level and won three successive
Tipperary SHC medals from 1992 to 1994. The second of these victories was later converted into a
Munster Club SHC title, before later losing the
1994 All-Ireland club final to
Sarsfields. Nolan first appeared on the inter-county scene for
Tipperary as a member of the minor team during their unsuccessful 1986 season. He immediately progressed to the under-21 team and was corner-forward on the team that beat
Offaly to win the
All-Ireland U21HC title in 1989. By that stage, Nolan had already appeared for the
senior team and was part of the team that won the
National League Division 2 in 1987. After a period away from the team he was recalled and claimed a
National Hurling League Division 1 title in 1994. Nolan made his sole
Munster SHC appearance that season. ==Honours==