for the third time Kilkenny were the opponents. Like previous encounters neither side took a considerable lead, however, Kilkenny had a vital goal from Aidan Fogarty. Cork were in arrears coming into the final few minutes, however, Ben O'Connor goaled for Cork. It was too little too late as 'the Cats' denied 'the Rebels' the three-in-a-row on a score line of 1–16 to 1–13. After a disappointing season in 2007, Gardiner was appointed captain of the Cork team for 2008. Cork exited the championship at the hands of Kilkenny that year in the All-Ireland semi-final Following the defeat by Kilkenny in 2008 manager Gerald McCarthy's two-year contract came to an end. He was later re-appointed for a further two-year term by the Cork County Board, in spite of the majority of the players not wanting him to stay on. The players on the 2008 panel, with Gardiner as one of the most vocal leaders of the strike, refused to play or train under McCarthy. (see 2008-2009 Cork players strike). McCarthy accordingly began the 2009 National League campaign with a new squad, none of whom had been able to make the previous year's panel. After months of pressure McCarthy eventually stepped down as manager. Gardiner remained as team captain for 2009, however, Cork hurling went into decline with the team falling short in the championship for a number of seasons. In November 2012 Gardiner was dropped from the Cork senior hurling panel. Inter-provincial Gardiner has also lined out with Munster in the Railway Cup inter-provincial competition. He captured a winners' medal in this competition as captain of the side in 2005 as Munster defeated Leinster. Gardiner won a second Railway Cup title in 2007 as Munster defeated Connacht under floodlights at Croke Park. Career statistics References 1983 births Living people Dual players Na Piarsaigh hurlers Cork inter-county hurlers Munster inter-provincial hurlers Na Piarsaigh Gaelic footballers Cork inter-county Gaelic footballers CIT hurlers All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship winners