THE recent death of Con Connery, Fairyfield, Kilmallock robbed Limerick of one of its finest sportsmen and musicians.

Con spent many years as a fencer for the Co Limerick Foxhounds, going back to the era of Hugh Robards when there were often upwards of 100 mounted followers out for a meet.

As well as his hard work and professionalism repairing fences, his role was very much PR as he was the first point of contact between farmers whose land had been crossed and the hunt. His quiet diplomacy and his well known local fame through his band, The Vantones, soon poured oil on any troubled waters.

His musical career started with Major Watt’s band, of whom he was the last surviving member. Major Watt, late of Riversfield, Kilmallock was master of the United Foxhounds in Cork, but had a private dance band which performed at most of the southern hunt balls.

On the demise of the Major, Con went on to found The Vantones who played at all Limerick hunt functions and he finished with the Connery Family Band with which he played until shortly before his recent death.

Con was an out and out hunting man and Hugh Robards had given him a couple of Co Limerick hounds who went on to be the foundation stock of his family pack, The Fairyfield Foxounds, still being hunted by his family to this day.

To his wife Kathleen and his family, we offer our deepest sympathy. Men like Con don’t often pass this way.