1–16 to 1–13 victory. It was Kavanagh's fourth All-Ireland winners' medal. Kavanagh collected an eighth Leinster medal in 2007, as Kilkenny asserted their provincial dominance and defeated Wexford by 2-24 to 1-12. On 2 September 2007 Kilkenny faced defeated Munster finalists and surprise All-Ireland semi-final winners Limerick in the championship decider. Kilkenny got off to a flying start with Eddie Brennan and Henry Shefflin scoring two goals within the first ten minutes to set the tone. Limerick launched a second-half comeback, however, "the Cats" were too powerful and cruised to a 2-19 to 1-15 victory. It was Kavanagh's fifth All-Ireland medal. Kilkenny secured the Leinster crown again in 2008, with Kavanagh collecting a ninth winners' medal following a 5-21 to 0-17 drubbing of Wexford. On 8 September 2008 Kilkenny faced Waterford in the All-Ireland decider for the first time in forty-five years. In a disappointingly one-sided final, Kilkenny produced a near perfect seventy minutes as Waterford endured a nightmare afternoon. A 23-point winning margin, 3-24 from play, only two wides in the entire match and eight scorers in all with Eddie Brennan and Henry Shefflin leading the way in a 3-30 to 1-13 victory. It was Kavanagh's sixth All-Ireland medal. Kavanagh collected a fifth National League medal in 2009, as Kilkenny beat Tipperary by 2-26 to 4-17 with a thrilling extra-time victory. He later won a fifth successive Leinster medal, his tenth overall, as new challengers Dublin were bested by 2-18 to 0-18. On 6 September Kilkenny were poised to become the second team ever in the history of hurling to win four successive All-Ireland championships when they faced Tipperary in the decider. For long periods Tipp looked the likely winners, however, late goals from Henry Shefflin and substitute Martin Comerford finally killed off their efforts to secure a 2-22 to 0-23 victory. Kavanagh had collected his seventh All-Ireland medal. Twilight success In 2010 Kavanagh was dropped from the Kilkenny starting fifteen, however, he remained on the extended panel. Kilkenny faced a number of injury worries going into an historic All-Ireland final, and ultimately failed in their 'drive for five' as Tipperary won by 4–17 to 1-18. Following this defeat it was incorrectly reported that Kavanagh had retired from inter-county hurling. Kavanagh remained on the Kilkenny panel for the 2011 championship. That year Kilkenny qualified for a record sixth consecutive All-Ireland final. For the third year in succession the team