delivered in the Irish language. 2006 to 2012 – Kilkenny: the hurling benchmark of all time 2006 — Kilkenny deny a Rebel treble In 2006, Kilkenny and Cork renewed their rivalry as both sides qualified for another All-Ireland final. The Leesiders were aiming for a third All-Ireland victory in-a-row; however, revenge was foremost in the minds of Kilkenny as it was Cork who denied their three-in-a-row bid in 2004. On the day Kilkenny were far too strong for Cork as "the Cats" secured a 1–16 to 1–13 victory after a bruising encounter. 2007 — Limerick fall to Kilkenny Kilkenny were the pre-tournament favourites in 2007 and proved themselves worthy of this billing by reaching the final with ease. Their dominance continued in the final itself when they defeated Limerick by seven points on a 2–19 to 1–15 score line. After scoring two early goals, Kilkenny maintained a lead of at least five points throughout the match and were never in any real danger of losing. By winning their 30th title Kilkenny drew level with Cork on the all-time roll of honour. 2008 — Waterford steamrolled as Kilkenny secure a hat-trick of titles In 2008, Kilkenny again dominated the hurling championship. Tipperary were predicted to challenge "the Cats" in the championship decider; however, it was first-round losers Waterford who booked their place against Kilkenny in the final. It was their first meeting in the championship decider in forty-five years. In a disappointingly one-sided final, Brian Cody's side produced a near perfect seventy minutes to re-confirm themselves as hurling's kingpins. Waterford endured a nightmare afternoon as arguably the greatest Kilkenny team of all-time secured their first All-Ireland three-in-a-row since 1913. The statistics speak for themselves. A 23-point winning margin, 3-24 from play, only two wides in the entire match and eight scorers in all with Eddie Brennan (2-04) and Henry Shefflin (0-08) leading the way in a 3–30 to 1–13 victory. 2009 — Kilkenny's four-in-a-row A crowd of 82,106 at Croke Park was treated to one of the best All-Ireland finals of all-time. Kilkenny created a piece of history with a fourth successive All-Ireland title following a defeat of Tipperary, thus becoming only the second county to put four titles back-to-back, joining the successful Cork team of the 1940s in an elite club. For long periods Tipp looked like they were going to end the reign of Brian Cody's side. Tipperary had