Padraic Maher admits he would not have been fit to play in an All-Ireland SHC quarter-final if Tipperary had lost the Munster final to Waterford.

The five-week break to Sunday's All-Ireland semi-final against Galway was just what the Thurles Sarsfields clubman needed as it gave him enough time to recover from the shoulder injury he sutained against the Deise. 

"I wouldn't have made a quarter-final," he told RTE.

"Obviously the first few weeks there was a bit of worry because it was so sore and I didn't know what way it was. I did the same one last year so I knew the protocol. Thankfully the last two weeks I've been able to do a nice bit of training so it wasn't too bad."

This weekend's semi-final is a rematch of last year's All-Ireland first round qualifier in which Tipp turned a six-point deficit into a nine-point victory in the last 15 minutes. Maher feels that win was the launchpad for the Premier County's subsequent run to the All-Ireland final.  

"It did give us a great lift," the half back said.

"Galway are one of the top teams in the country and, probably not playing to the best of our ability, the last 20 minutes got us over the line. 

"That gave us a great lift for the rest of the year and probably gave us more momentum going on, all the way to the final. 

"Eamon (O'Shea) gives us great confidence every time we go out. He's a dream to play for. There are always ways to improve and we've done that since 2012, we've gradually improved, and last year was a big help towards that. 

"I can't remember much about the end of it, to be honest. It was hell for leather. The relief at the end of that game was great and you could see the way the players were, it was a moment that set us up for the rest of the year."

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