Munster progression renewed Tipperary's only target - Maher

Padraic Maher says Tipperary are only focused on making the top three of the cut-throat Munster SHC despite beginning their campaign with an away win at last year's provincial finalists Clare.

Tipp had lost six championship games on the bounce but took the points in their first game under Liam Cahill.

"It was a great start," the six-time All-Star and now Premier County selector told RTÉ Sport of the 5-22 to 3-23 victory that ended that losing run.

"It wasn't a great record to be honest, it isn't what we expect in Tipperary. So it was nice to buck the trend last Sunday.

"We counted four or five lads that started their first championship game for Tipp. It is a hard place to go, Ennis, it is fairly hostile down there with the crowd and atmosphere. To come through that with a win, lads getting that experience is great.

"There has been a bit of a change in the panel in the last number of years. We had a decent league campaign. So it was important we brought that into the first game.

"There is loads to work on, there is no doubt about that, but at the end of the day it was all about getting two points on the board. The lads did that. We have a nice little run into the Cork game."

"You're probably going to need six points to get out of Munster"

That win thrust Tipperary, the most recent champions apart from Limerick, into the All-Ireland conversation, but Maher says they won't be getting ahead of themselves.

They sit out this weekend's action before travelling to Páirc Ui Chaoimh on Saturday week.

"The pressure is still on. You're probably going to need six points to get out of Munster, that is three wins out of four.

"You cannot afford to look outside Munster. You could very easily come fourth or fifth because it is so competitive - your