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

No surprise that Brian O’Driscoll’s finale features quite a bit.

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 Scotland

Joe Schmidt prepares for his first 6 Nations game as coach

Joe Schmidt Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Rob Kearney stretches for a try

Rob Kearney celebrates his try Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Marty Moore gets his first cap after the game

Martin Moore receives his first cap from Pat Fitzgerald

Ireland 26-3 Wales

Leigh Halfpenny almost shaves Gordon D’Arcy’s beard with his studs

Gordon D'Arcy with Leigh Halfpenny Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Cian Healy celebrates Chris Henry’s try

Cian Healy celebrates as Chris Henry scores a try Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

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

Paul O'Connell Colm O'Neill / INPHO Colm O'Neill / INPHO / INPHO

England 13-10 Ireland

Joe Schmidt laughs off Dylan Hartley’s come-and-get-me plea

Dylan Hartley talks with Joe Schmidt before the game James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Jonny May drops a clanger early on

Jonny May almost scores a try early ion the game James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

The fans belted out Ireland’s Call with gusto

Ireland fans sing Ireland's Call before the game Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Rob Kearney scored a brilliant try straight from the training paddock

Rob Kearney goes free to score a try James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

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

Brian O'Driscoll dejected after the game Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Ireland 46-7 Italy

This Italian fan is a hero

An Italian fan before the game Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

Andrew Trimble claims he got the ball down

Andrew Trimble goes over for their second try Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

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

Brian O'Driscoll is substituted Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

France 20-22 Ireland

Johnny Sexton scores a try for Ireland

Jonathan Sexton scores a try Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Mathieu Bastareaud bulldozes through the Irish defence

Jonathan Sexton gets injured in a tackle with Mathieu Bastareaud Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

The Irish team celebrate with the 6 Nations trophy

The Ireland team celebrate winning the 2014 RBS 6 Nations championship James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

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

Brian O'Driscoll celebrate with the Six Nations Trophy Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Argentina 17-29 Ireland

Johnny Sexton’s try-scoring form continued

Jonathan Sexton scores a try Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Argentina 17-23 Ireland

Simon Zebo was back in the Ireland squad for the summer tour

Simon Zebo Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Darren Cave was hoping to impress Joe Schmidt

Darren Cave Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Ireland 29-15 South Africa

Devin Toner claims a lineout

Devin Toner and Tebo Mohoje Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

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

Rhys Ruddock makes a break with the support of Paul O'Connell Colm O'Neill / INPHO Colm O'Neill / INPHO / INPHO

Jared Payne made his international debut at 13

Willie le Roux is tackled by Jared Payne Billy Stickland / INPHO Billy Stickland / INPHO / INPHO

Ireland 49-7 Georgia

Mike Ross and Dave Foley got some light reading in beforehand

Mike Ross and Dave Foley before the game Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Dave Kilcoyne made a few trademark bursts

Dave Kilcoyne celebrates his try Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Dominic Ryan and Dave Foley made their Ireland debuts

Dominic Ryan tackled by Merab Kvirikashvili Dan Sheridan / INPHO Dan Sheridan / INPHO / INPHO

Ireland 26-23 Australia

Simon Zebo finished a try off excellently early on

zebo

Johnny Sexton kicks the winning penalty

sexton

Peter O’Mahony celebrates at this final whistle

pom