The Leeside legends series: Fenton flew high with Cork and the Magpies

It was a case of keep trying for the Midleton team and they were rewarded in 1983 when they defeated St Finbarr’s 1-18 to 2-9 in the county final.

“The following year I had the honour to lead Cork to win in the Centenary final and those two victories I will never forget,” said John.

Two years later Fenton clinched his third All-Ireland senior medal when Cork defeated Galway. Having taken a while to establish himself as a starter, he landed an incredible five successive All-Star awards at midfield.
Amazingly John came from nowhere and flicked the ball forward to open space before unleashing an unstoppable shot to the roof of the late Tommy Quaid’s net.

This highlighted his astonishing striking, the wrists that sent so many scores between the posts from frees and open play.
John Fenton was a professional in his approach to hurling but the Cork fans also hailed him as a pure artist.
