Fenton: Midleton must lead renewed Rebel assault on Munster

With a first county senior hurling title since 1991 safely under their belt, the next focus for Midleton has to be the Munster title — so says former great John Fenton. The only Cork club to have won the provincial crown since his own side did it in 1987 has been Newtownshandrum.

“The way the Cork champions have performed in the club championship in the last 25 years has been a reflection of Cork’s place in hurling. Newtown won three Munster titles in the 2000s [’03, ’05, ’09], one All-Ireland [’04], Cork won two All-Irelands [’04 & ’05] — our record has not been good.

“Cork hurling needs the county senior champions to be winning a lot more often in Munster and contesting at All-Ireland level at least. I would hope our fellas would have a serious cut off that now, and I believe they will. Midleton has a proud record in Munster [two titles — ’83 & ’87 — from four attempts].