THE SCRIPT COULDN’T have gone any better for the Tipperary senior hurlers in the summer of 2016.

Despite losing to Clare in the Allianz League quarter-final, the Premier County regrouped and swept all before them in the championship to claim provincial and All-Ireland honours.

Cork, Limerick, Waterford, Galway and Kilkenny were put to the sword and here, we take a look back at just some of the stunning moments that encapsulated a campaign that had a very definite blue and gold hue.

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A sign of things to come…The Maher brothers, Ronan (left) and Pádraic back each other up against Cork in Tipp’s Munster senior hurling championship opener…

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

In his first senior championship game at the helm, Michael Ryan got off to a winning start…

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Tipp lost John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer to an early red card against Limerick in the Munster semi-final…

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

…But still managed to win comfortably. Michael Breen (pictured below) scored two goals and Seamus Callanan bagged another.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

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Things couldn’t have gone much better for Tipperary on Munster final Sunday. First off, their minors decimated Limerick to win the provincial crown. Brian McGrath (on-field captain) and Gavin Ryan (injured skipper) lift the trophy. 

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

The seniors made it a double with a 21-point victory over Waterford, as John McGrath scored a hat-trick of goals…

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher is one of Tipperary’s most consistent players. Here, he still manages to get a pass away despite losing his helmet…

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Brothers John, Brian and Noel McGrath enjoyed their afternoon. It wouldn’t be the last time we’d see them in celebratory mode on a big day in 2016.

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Michael Ryan is pictured here with his daughters at full-time. There were two more big days to come for the Upperchurch man in his first season at the helm…

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Captain Brendan Maher accepted the provincial silverware…

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

After losing by a point against Galway in the 2015 All-Ireland semi-final, Tipperary were determined that lightning wouldn’t strike twice. Their refusal to yield was illustrated by Pádraic Maher’s colossal hit on Joe Canning, which left the Galway man needing treatment…

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

After serving a Munster final suspension, John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer was left on the bench. But he came on to score a crucial goal…

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

John McGrath scored Tipperary’s second goal and remarkably, history would repeat itself in September, ‘Bubbles’ netting first, McGrath second…

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Michael Ryan was naturally elated at full-time…

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

A memorable first Sunday in September began for Tipperary with victory in the All-Ireland minor hurling final…

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

…Before the seniors went to work against Kilkenny. Here, John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer is about to slam home his stunning second half goal.  

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

John McGrath’s goal, set up with a pass from his brother Noel, put Tipp firmly on their way to victory…

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

Tipp had that winning feeling at full-time and here, elation is etched all over Pádraic Maher’s face as he celebrates with team-mate and Thurles Sarsfields colleague Michael Cahill. 

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Captain Brendan Maher became the fourth man from Borris-Ileigh to lift the Liam MacCarthy Cup aloft for Tipperary, following in the footsteps of Sean Kenny, Jimmy Finn and Bobby Ryan…

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

The four wise men soon got their hands on the trophy, as manager Michael Ryan was joined by coach Declan Fanning and selectors Conor Stakelum and John Madden to hoist the silverware aloft…

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

Very much a family affair as Brian (All-Ireland minor winning captain), Noel and John McGrath join family members for a snap with Liam MacCarthy…

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Tipperary players and fans perform the Icelandic Soccer clap at a rapturous Semple Stadium homecoming

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Two of the deadliest forwards in the game, Seamus Callanan (left) and John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer, pictured here with Liam MacCarthy…

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

The late Jackie Griffin’s daughters Laragh, Isabelle and Emma help Pádraic Maher accept the Dan Breen Cup on behalf of county champions Thurles Sarsfields

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

Tipp were honoured with seven GAA/GPA Opel All-Star awards, having had all 15 All-Ireland final starters nominated. Here, John McGrath, Ronan Maher and Pádraic Maher are spruced up for the night…

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

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