Rebels open title defence with Déise clash

MUNSTER senior football champions Cork will begin the 2009 defence of their crown in the Fraher Field, Dungarvan on May 24 with a quarter-final clash against Waterford.

That game along with the Tipperary-Limerick quarter-final, will kick- off proceedings after the Munster Council yesterday announced details of their 2009 senior fixture list.

The hurling championship begins a week later when defending champions Tipperary face Cork in Semple Stadium. The two counties are also slated to meet in that venue in the NHL in February, in the first official game under floodlights in Thurles.