who many viewed as the underdogs going into the game, a 2–17 to 1–16 victory. Delaney collected a sixth All-Ireland medal. 2012 began well for Delaney when he collected a sixth National League medal following a 3–21 to 0–16 demolition of old rivals Cork. Kilkenny were later shocked by Galway in the Leinster decider, losing by 2–21 to 2–11, however, both sides subsequently met in the All-Ireland decider on 9 September 2012. Kilkenny had led going into the final stretch, however, Joe Canning struck a stoppage time equaliser to level the game at 2–13 to 0–19 and send the final to a replay for the first time since 1959. The replay took place three weeks later on 30 September 2012. Galway stunned the reigning champions with two first-half goals, however, Kilkenny's championship debutant Walter Walsh gave a man of the match performance, claiming a 1–3 haul. The 3–22 to 3–11 Kilkenny victory gave Delaney a seventh All-Ireland medal. He later collected a sixth All-Star. Twilight successes Kilkenny's dominance showed no sign of abating in 2013, with Delaney winning a seventh National League medal following a 2–17 to 0–20 defeat of Tipperary in the decider. In 2014 Delaney deputised as captain on a number of occasions due to the absence of regular skipper Lester Ryan. That year he collected his eighth league medal, as Kilkenny secured a narrow one-point 2–25 to 1–27 extra-time victory over Tipperary. Delaney subsequently secured an eleventh Leinster medal, as a dominant Kilkenny display gave "the Cats" a 0–14 to 1–9 defeat of Dublin. On 7 September 2014, Delaney led Kilkenny onto the field for an All-Ireland decider with Tipperary. In what some consider to be the greatest game of all-time, the sides were level when Tipperary were awarded a controversial free. John O'Dwyer had the chance to win the game, however, his late free drifted wide resulting in a draw. The replay on 27 September 2014 was also a close affair, with Delaney's hook on Séamus Callanan being a high point. Goals from brothers Richie and John Power inspired Kilkenny to a 2–17 to 2–14 victory. It was Delaney's eighth All-Ireland medal, while a seventh All-Star award quickly followed. Delaney announced his retirement from inter-county hurling on 5 December 2014. Inter-provincial In 2002 Delaney was at centre-back as the Leinster inter-provincial team faced their age-old rivals Munster in the championship decider. A last-minute free by Henry