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 season could be over.
"Our aim at the moment is to come out in the top three. If you do that you are giving yourself a chance. After that you can talk about where you want to go as regards All-Ireland series.
"You have to go to deliver again in a week and half again. That is the cut and thrust of the round-robin. It is very exciting to be part of and to watch as a supporter. For the players they have to come down off the buzz of last Sunday quickly to concentrate now on the Cork game."
While not involved in Colm Bonnar's set-up last year after his injury-enforced retirement, or given much inside information from brother Ronan - "It is like drawing blood from a stone" - Maher thinks that the younger panellists' familiarity with Cahill might have helped the uptick in results.
"I know the lads are enjoying it this year from what I can see in front of my eyes. A lot of them would have worked under Liam Cahill and Mikey Bevans at underage, in minor and U21 they were successful. I think that makes it that bit easier for the players, they know how they get on with that management team, they know what that management team are demanding from them.
"I was in that boat before when Liam Sheedy came back. When you had that success with the manager before, it is a bit exciting to have him come back again. You know what is coming and what is expected. I think a lot of the younger lads got that feeling at the start of this year."
Former Hurler of the Year Seamus Callanan (34) hasn't appeared for Tipperary in championship since what proved to be Maher's final game, the 2021 All-Ireland quarter-final defeat to Waterford.
But Maher still expects his long-time team-mate to play a part this season as he continues to recover from knee ligament damaged sustained in the league win over the Déise.
"Seamie is coming on well," he said. "The Cork game we're not too sure yet. You have to be careful with a knee injury, you don’t want to rush him back either because we still have another two games after the Cork game.
"We want to make sure that he’s right and he’s not being thrown in at the deep end. You can’t afford to be going in only 60-70%, you need to be physically and mentally right.
"He would probably say that last year didn’t really exist for him, he saw no minutes in championship through injury. He was very unfortunate. I know he’s very determined and he still has more left in the tank.
"Hopefully he’ll be back as fit and strong as ever, and he’ll have a say in this championship for Tipperary before the round robin is out."
Maher was speaking to promote his participation in the Bord Gáis Energy Legends Tour Series of Croke Park.
He is provisionally booked in to relive his glory days on Jones' Road on 22 July, the day before the All-Ireland hurling final.
"It is an honour to be asked. Please god we’ll have another reason to be up here that weekend as well!".
Watch Kilkenny v Galway and Cork v Waterford in the Leinster and Munster Hurling Championships on Sunday from 1.30pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, follow a live blog on the RTÉ News app or RTÉ.ie/Sport and listen to live commentary on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1. Highlights on The Sunday Game, RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player, 9.30pm.
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