Padraic Maher feels Tipperary are finding form at just the right time.

The young defender, who had little time to celebrate Tipp's thrilling All-Ireland SHC quarter-final win over Galway with tomorrow night's Bord Gais Energy Munster U21HC final looming large, said: "It was a big win to get over Galway like that. We showed a bit of character there to stick at it until the end and get that one-point victory.

"The qualifiers can be awkward but we're building momentum now. We played one bad game against Cork but it didn't bother us what happened after that with the criticism.

"I think Cork wanted it more than us that day and it was a good learning point for us going forward. It's helped to keep our feet on the ground and we're back on track now."

Maher isn't complaining about having to play two massive championship games in the space of three days.

"In a way it's hard three days after a senior match to be facing into an U21 final. But at this stage of the year the games are coming at you thick and fast. It's going to be another tough one facing a very good Clare team. Waterford will be a huge challenge in senior but we don't get much time to think about that.

"Tomorrow night is what we're concentrating on," he added. Tweet

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