Championship glory, tears and a November clean sweep: Ireland’s rugby season in pictures

IT WAS A special season for Irish rugby with Joe Schmidt’s men capturing a 6 Nations title as well as scalping two southern hemisphere powerhouses in the autumn.

Nine wins out of ten is a spectacular return by any measurement and here are some of the best photos from one of Ireland’s most successful season’s.

Ireland 28-6 ScotlandJoe Schmidt prepares for his first 6 Nations game as coach

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Rob Kearney stretches for a try

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Marty Moore gets his first cap after the game

Ireland 26-3 WalesLeigh Halfpenny almost shaves Gordon D’Arcy’s beard with his studs

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Cian Healy celebrates Chris Henry’s try

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Paul O’Connell guffawed at the thought of Wales contending for the 6 Nations

Source: Colm O’Neill/INPHO

England 13-10 IrelandJoe Schmidt laughs off Dylan Hartley’s come-and-get-me plea

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Jonny May drops a clanger early on

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

The fans belted out Ireland’s Call with gusto

Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

Rob Kearney scored a brilliant try straight from the training paddock

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Brian O’Driscoll’s last game at Twickenham ended in defeat

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Ireland 46-7 ItalyThis Italian fan is a hero

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Andrew Trimble claims he got the ball down

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Brian O’Driscoll leaves the Aviva as an Ireland player for the last time

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

France 20-22 IrelandJohnny Sexton scores a try for Ireland

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Mathieu Bastareaud bulldozes through the Irish defence

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

The Irish team celebrate with the 6 Nations trophy

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

The win allowed Brian O’Driscoll to go out on top

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Argentina 17-29 IrelandJohnny Sexton’s try-scoring form continued

Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

Argentina 17-23 IrelandSimon Zebo was back in the Ireland squad for the summer tour

Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

Darren Cave was hoping to impress Joe Schmidt

Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

Ireland 29-15 South AfricaDevin Toner claims a lineout

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Rhys Ruddock peels off a maul to score just after half time

Source: Colm O’Neill/INPHO

Jared Payne made his international debut at 13

Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

Ireland 49-7 GeorgiaMike Ross and Dave Foley got some light reading in beforehand

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Dave Kilcoyne made a few trademark bursts

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Dominic Ryan and Dave Foley made their Ireland debuts

Source: Dan Sheridan/INPHO

Ireland 26-23 AustraliaSimon Zebo finished a try off excellently early on

Johnny Sexton kicks the winning penalty

Peter O’Mahony celebrates at this final whistle

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