John Fenton

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John Fenton

Personal information
Sport	Hurling
Date of Birth	December, 1954
Place of birth	Midleton, County Cork,
Club information
Club	Midleton
Position	Midfield
Club(s)*
Club	Years	Apps (scores)
Inter County
County	Cork
Position	Midfield
Inter County(ies)**
County	Years	Apps (scores)
Cork	1976-1987
Inter County Titles
Munster Titles	6
All-Ireland	2
All-Stars	5
* club appearances and scores correct as of . **Inter County team apps and scores correct as of .

John Fenton (born December, 1954) is a former Irish sportsman. He played hurling with Midleton and Cork in the 1980s.

John Fenton was born near Midleton in East Cork in 1954. As a child he showed great skill at the game of hurling and in time would come to be regarded as one of the greatest midfielders ever to play the game. Fenton was quickly spotted by the Cork inter-county selectors and had his first success in 1976, winning an All-Ireland Under-21 title. Earlier in the year he had made his senior hurling debut in a Munster Championship game against Tipperary, however, it would be another few years before he established himself on the Cork team that lined out in the championship. In spite of this he was a regular player in National Hurling League games.

In 1979 Fenton finally broke onto the team and won his first Munster Senior Championship medal in the process. Cork were later stopped in their bid to win a fourth All-Ireland title in-a-row when they were defeated by Galway in the All-Ireland semi-final. In 1980 and 1981 Fenton won back-to-back National Hurling League titles with Cork. In 1982 Fenton had another tough year as a senior hurler as he was dropped from the Cork team for certain key games. He came on as a substitute in the Munster Final and won his second provincial title. In 1983 Fenton won his third Munster Championship, however, Cork were later defeated by Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final. Fenton's talent was recognised when he was presented with his first All-Star Award. He finished off the year by winning a Cork County Championship and a Munster Club Championship with his club Midleton. This success paved the way for Fenton to be appointed captain of the Cork senior hurlers in 1984, the centenary year of the Gaelic Athletic Association. That year he guided Cork to another Munster title, his fourth title in all, before leading his team to success in a special All-Ireland final against Offaly in Semple Stadium. Once again he was honoured with an All-Star as well as being declard "Hurler of the Year.". Two more Munster titles and All-Star awards came Fenton's way in 1985 and 1986, as well as a second All-Ireland victory over Galway in 1986. He rounded off the year by winning a second Cork County Championship with his club.

In 1987 Fenton played in his last championship. In the Munster semi-final replay against Limerick Fenton scored, what is often regarded as, the greatest hurling goal of all-time. Playing in his usual midfield position he struck the sliothar on the ground and scored a goal from 40 yards out. In 2005 this goal was listed as one of RTÉs Top 20 GAA Moments. Fenton played his last game for Cork in a thrilling Munster final replay against Tipperary. The game ended in victory for Tipp and it was the first time in five years that Cork were not provincial champions. Fenton's performance in the Munster Championship was honoured yet again when he was presented with a record fifth consecutive All-Star Award. Again Fenton claimed a another Cork County title with Midleton, before winning a second Munster Club Hurling title. On St. Patrick's Day, 1988 Fenton was part of the team that defeated Athenry to capture an elusive All-Ireland Club Championship with Midleton. He won a fourth Cork County Championship title with the club in 1991, before retiring completely from hurling. He has remained involved as a coach to his local juvenile team.

Preceded by Jimmy Barry-Murphy	Cork Senior Hurling Captain 1984	Succeeded by Ger Cunningham
Preceded by Liam Fennelly (Kilkenny)	All-Ireland Hurling Final winning captain 1984	Succeeded by Pat Fleury (Offaly)
Preceded by Frank Cummins (Kilkenny)	Texaco Hurler of the Year 1984	Succeeded by Eugene Coughlan (Offaly)

	Cork - All-Ireland Hurling Champions 1984 (25th title)
1 G. Cunningham | 2 D. Mulcahy | 3 D. O'Grady | 4 J. Hodgins | 5 T. Cashman | 6 J. Crowley | 7 D. McCurtain | 8 J. Fenton (Capt.) | 9 P. Hartnett | 10 K. Hennessy | 11 T. Crowley | 12 T. O'Sullivan | 13 T. Mulcahy | 14 J. Barry-Murphy | 15 S. O'Leary | Managers: J. McCarthy | M. O'Brien

	Cork - All-Ireland Hurling Champions 1986 (26th title)
1 G. Cunningham | 2 D. Mulcahy | 3 R. Browne | 4 J. Crowley | 5 P. Hartnett | 6 T. Cashman (Capt.) | 7 D. Walsh | 8 J. Fenton | 9 J. Cashman | 10 T. McCarthy | 11 T. Mulcahy | 12 T. O'Sullivan | 13 G. Fitzgerald | 14 J. Barry-Murphy | 15 Kevin Hennessy | Subs: K. Kingston Manager: J. Clifford