The 2018 season was Michael Ryan's third and final year as manager of the Tipperary senior hurling team.
On 26 September 2017, it was confirmed that Michael Ryan would continue as Tipperary manager on a new three-year term alongside coach Declan Fanning and selectors John Madden and Conor Stakelum. Brian Horgan left his position as a selector.
Intersport/Elverys continued as sponsors of Tipperary GAA for a fourth year with the same kit as used in 2017.
On 10 November 2017, it was confirmed that Pádraic Maher would retain the captaincy of the Tipperary Senior hurling team for 2018.
Tipperary again chose not to compete in the Munster Senior Hurling League which was held in January.
On 2 August 2018, Michael Ryan along with his management team stepped down after three years.
On 24 September, Liam Sheedy was appointed as the new manager of the Tipperary senior hurling team on a three-year term.
2018 senior hurling management team
2018 squad
The following players made their competitive senior debut in 2018.
Paul Maher against Clare on 28 January. Ger Browne against Clare on 28 January. Paudie Feehan against Waterford on 3 February. Paul Shanahan against Waterford on 3 February. Cian Darcy against Waterford on 3 February. Billy McCarthy against Wexford on 17 February. Mark Russell against Wexford on 17 February. Brian Hogan against Cork on 11 March. Willie Connors against Dublin on 25 March. Jake Morris against Cork 27 May.
Squad as per v Kilkenny in the 2018 National Hurling League Final on 8 April.
Challenge Games
A 40-man pre-season training panel was named at the end of October 2017 with nine new players included while there was also a recall for defender Cathal Barrett.
In October 2017, Steven O'Brien confirmed that he would be playing with the Tipperary senior football team in 2018 after two years with the Tipperary hurling team.
Tipperary played their first challenge game of the new season on 9 December 2017 against Laois in Puckane. The match was hosted by the Kiladangan club with all proceeds going toward the Kiladangan National School defibrillator fund and Living Links Ireland.
2018 National Hurling League
Summary
It was confirmed in January that Séamus Callanan would miss most of the league campaign with a back injury. Tipperary started their league campaign on 28 January against Clare in Ennis, they started with only six of those who lost to Galway in the 2017 All-Ireland semi-final. The match was played in Cusack Park with a 2pm throw-in, and was televised live by TG4. Clare won the game 1-21 to 0-19, and also had a half time lead of 0-13 to 0-10. Goalkeeper Paul Maher, Tom Fox at left half back and Ger Browne at top of the right all started the game to make their league debuts. David Reidy got the clinching score for Clare in injury-time when he ran in on goal to shoot low to the net.
A week later on 3 February, Tipperary defeated Waterford. There were six changes from the team that lined out against Clare, Sean O'Brien, Joe O'Dwyer, Brendan Maher, Dan McCormack, Michael Breen and John McGrath all came into the team. Paudie Feehan came into the team a few minutes before the start due to Cathal Barrett picking up a groin injury. The match was played in Semple Stadium with a 7pm throw-in, and was televised live by Eir Sport. Before a crowd of 6,363 Waterford with the wind behind them in the first-half had an 0-10 to 0-9 lead at half-time. Mark O'Brien scored a goal for Waterford after 48 minutes shooting from a tight angle. Tipperary won a penalty when Michael Breen was fouled with Jason Forde shooting low to the left corner. Waterford only scored 1-1 in the second half. Dan McCormack who went off after four minutes of the game with a knee injury and Joe O'Dwyer who suffered a broken thumb will both miss the remainder of the league campaign.