John Fenton

A 1-18 to 2-9 victory gave Midleton their first title since 1916, while Fenton, who collected his first championship medal, also had the honour of lifting the cup.

He later collected a Munster medal following a 1-14 to 1-11 defeat of Borris-Ileigh in the provincial decider.

John Fenton (born 11 December 1955) is an Irish retired hurler who played as a midfielder and forward for the Cork senior team.

Born in Midleton, County Cork, Fenton first played competitive hurling during his schooling at Midleton CBS.

He arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he first linked up with the Cork minor team, before later joining the under-21 side.

Fenton first played for Cork as a member of the minor hurling team on 1 July 1973.

He scored a point from midfield on his debut in a 1-11 to 1-8 Munster semi-final defeat by Tipperary.

He made his senior debut during the 1975 championship.

Fenton subsequently became a regular member of the starting fifteen and won two All-Ireland medals, seven Munster medals and two National Hurling League medals.

Two years later in 1975 Fenton was included on the Cork under-21 team.

He won his first Munster medal that year following a 3–12 to 2–6 win over Limerick.

On 11 October 1975 Cork faced Kilkenny in the All-Ireland decider in what was one of the games of the year.

Fenton top scored for Cork with nine points from midfield.

In a game of fluctuating fortunes Cork looked likely to succeed but were deprived of victory when Kilkenny 'keeper Kevin Fennelly made two great saves from Con Brassil and Finbarr Delaney in the closing stages.

A 5-13 to 2-19 defeat was the result for Cork.

Cork continued their provincial dominance in 1976, with Fenton collecting a second Munster medal following a 2–11 to 3–6 win over Clare.

The subsequent All-Ireland decider on was a replay of the previous year, with Cork facing Kilkenny as underdogs.

In 1978 he enjoyed his first major success when he captured a championship medal in the intermediate grade as Midleton defeated Newtownshandrum by 1-12 to 1-10.

Five years later Fenton was captain of the Midleton senior team that bridged a forty-five year gap to qualify for the championship decider.

The opponents, St. Finbarr's, were appearing in their fifth successive decider and were hoping to secure fourth championship in-a-row.

The All-Ireland-winning captain of 1984, he was an All-Ireland runner-up on one occasion.

As a member of the Munster inter-provincial team on a number of occasions, Fenton won three Railway Cup medals.

At club level he is a one-time All-Ireland medallist with Midleton.

In addition to this he has also won two Munster medals and three championship medals.

Throughout his career Fenton made 31 championship appearances.

Two-in-a-row proved beyond Midleton, while the club also lost the decider to Blackrock in 1985.

The following year Midleton were back in the decider, however, Fenton was relegated to the substitutes' bench as the club secured a 1-18 to 1-10 defeat of Blackrock.

His retirement came following the conclusion of the 1987 championship.

Fenton is widely regarded as one of the greatest hurlers of his era.

During his playing days he won five consecutive All-Star awards.

In 1987 Fenton was back on the starting fifteen as Midleton faced Na Piarsaigh in the championship decider.

An exciting 2-12 to 0-15 victory gave Fenton a second championship medal on the field of play.

He later won a second Munster medal as Cappawhite were accounted for by 1-12 to 1-11 in the provincial decider.

On 17 March 1988 Midleton faced Athenry in the All-Ireland decider and a close game developed.

Two early goals by Kevin Hennessy and a kicked goal by Colm O'Neill gave Midleton a 3–8 to 0–9 victory and gave Fenton an All-Ireland Senior Club Hurling Championship medal.

Fenton was in the twilight of his career in 1991 when Midleton reached the championship decider once again.

A 1-17 to 1-8 defeat of Glen Rovers gave Fenton his third championship medal on the field of play and his fourth overall.

In a 2009 poll Fenton was chosen as one of the 125 greatest hurlers of all-time.

Fenton first came to prominence with Midleton when he was thirteen years-old as a member of the club's minor team.

He began his playing career as a goalkeeper before later being deployed at midfield.