Inter-county
Stapleton first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the Tipperary minor hurling team in 2005. He enjoyed little success in his first year, however, Tipperary reached the All-Ireland decider via the "back-door" in 2006. Three-in-a-row hopefuls Galway provided the opposition, however, Tipp powered to 2–18 to 2–7 victory.[2] It was Stapleton's first All-Ireland medal in that grade.[citation needed]
He subsequently joined the Tipperary under-21 team. Stapleton won a Munster medal in this grade in 2008 following a controversial one-point defeat of Clare. Tipp later reached the All-Ireland, however, Maher's side were defeated by Kilkenny.[3]
Stapleton made his senior competitive debut for Tipperary in a National Hurling League game against Dublin in 2007. Later that season he made his championship debut against Limerick, in what turned out to be an unsuccessful championship campaign.[citation needed]
After falling out of favour with Liam Sheedy's new management team, Stapleton remained on the periphery of the team for a number of seasons.[citation needed]
Stapelton was back on the starting fifteen in 2012.[4] A subsequent 2-17 to 0-16 defeat of Waterford in the provincial decider gave him his first Munster medal on the field of play.[5] Tipperary later faced a humiliating 4-24 to 1-15 defeat by eventual champions Kilkenny in the All-Ireland semi-final.[6]