Unfortunately, a rout ensued. At half-time Cork had a 3–11 to 0–2 lead after dominating almost every aspect of the game. Cork had two more goals disallowed, just enough to keep them out of the record books. A further 2–5 in the second-half gave ‘the Rebels’ a 5–16 to 0–4 victory and a third consecutive All-Ireland title for the second time in their history. In 1944 Cork set out to break all records by winning the championship for a fourth successive time. All went to plan as "the Rebels" qualified for another championship decider. For the third time in four years Dublin provided the opposition. The opening thirty minutes was a low-scoring affair; however, Cork still took a 0–8 to 0–2 lead. Cork forged ahead in the second-half with Joe Kelly scoring two goals to secure a 2–13 to 1–2 victory and a remarkable fourth All-Ireland title in succession. 1945 to 1948 – Four years, four champions Five All-Ireland titles in-a-row proved beyond the great Cork team of the era, as Tipperary emerged from the wilderness to book their place in the 1945 championship decider. In Leinster Kilkenny also emerged from the doldrums and provided the opposition in the final. Tipp raced into a stunning lead and left Kilkenny trailing by 4–3 to 0–3 at half-time. Three goals by ‘the Cats’ turned the tide; however, it wasn't enough as Tipperary won by 5–6 to 3–6. In 1946 Cork proved that the four-in-a-row team was not finished yet. They booked their place in the All-Ireland final for the sixth time in nine years, this time with Kilkenny providing the opposition. The first half was played on an even keel; however, two goals in two minutes just before half-time gave Cork a boost. A great solo-run goal by captain Christy Ring put ‘the Rebels’ four points ahead. Cork ran riot in the second-half, scoring five goals and winning easily by 7–5 to 3–8. The Cork-Kilkenny rematch took place in the championship decider of 1947. The game itself is often described as the greatest All-Ireland final of them all. Jim Langton and Terry Leahy spearheaded the Kilkenny attack, while Mossy O'Riordan and Joe Kelly scored goals for Cork that nearly won the game. In the end Kilkenny won by the ‘usual point’ on a score line of 0–14 to 2–7, thus avoiding the ignominy of becoming the first team to lose three-in-a-row. 1948