Hardened Munster men, more used to roaring on their rugby heroes into battle, openly wept outside the hallowed turf of Thomond Park at the loss of their leader, friend, and comrade “Axel” Foley, writes David Raleigh, in Limerick.
The sports-ground cauldron, which echoes the famous roar of the home fans on match day, remained silent again today as fans mourned at the growing shrine of red jerseys, scarves and hats left in memory of the Munster Head Coach.
While playing schoolboy rugby for St Munchin’s College, “Axel”‘s teammates, inspired by the cult 1980s Beverly Hills Cop movie trilogy gave him his nickname – Anthony Foley, much like the tenacious “Detective Axel Foley”, played by Hollywood star Eddie Murphy, was always one step ahead of the pack.
Another local Shannon rugby legend, Noel “Buddha” Healy, Shannon club President, who also wore the red Munster jersey, wept as he paid a heartfelt tribute to his “mentor”.
Shannon RFC's President Noel Healy signs book of condolences for Anthony Foley at City Hall #RIPAxel #LimerickVoice pic.twitter.com/psnXkf6jOc
— Limerick Voice (@LimerickVoice) October 17, 2016
Breaking down, the 57-year old said of Foley: “He’ll always be alive in my heart. He was a very very good friend, and I just don’t want to let him go. Words can’t say it…I miss him.”
Healy said he had didn’t agree with Foley’s appointment as Director of Munster Rugby, as he felt it diminished his strength as a forwards coach, a role he took on when Rassi Erasmus took over the role of Director.
Healy was driving on an errand last Sunday when he received the news his fellow rugby warrior had died.
“I nearly crashed the van. I just broke down. I cried and cried.”
He added: “Anthony was out walking around Paris with the lads, not on the beer, but chilling out before the big match. He went up to bed and missed breakfast the following morning.”
“The boy’s made a joke that he was looking for a lie-in. But, a little later, when he didn’t show, someone was summoned to go to his room to get him up. Unfortunately he didn’t get up.”
He said he and his wife spent the day with Foley’s mother Sheila, at her home in Killaloe, Co Clare.
“To see Sheila Foley – I can empathise, because I lost my son-in-law to cancer two and a half years ago. Shelia is a lost soul and I know Brendan will absolutely be lost without Anthony.”
Healy, cut from the raw emotion of the past 24 hours, added his personal condolences to former Munster and Ireland rugby coach Declan Kidney and his family, at the loss of his wife Ann, who passed away in Marymount Hospice, last Tuesday.
The tricolour flew at half mast today and books of condolences were opened at local authorities across Munster. For the second day in a row rugby fans made the pilgrimage to Thomond Park to remember the glory days led by Foley.
Earlier, Sports Minister Patrick O'Donovan and Mayor of Limerick Kieran O'Hanlon opened a book of condolences in City Hall pic.twitter.com/ICiIawoLdK
— Ben Sweeney (@BenSweeneyF1) October 17, 2016
Mayor of Limerick, Kieran O’Hanlon said: “Our thoughts and prayers are foremost with Anthony’s family, his wife and children. We have to be there to support them in every way we can.”
An emotional Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan, who socialised with Foley and his family a few weeks ago, also paid tribute: “He wasn’t loquacious; a man of few words, but solid as a rock, and you could always depend on him.”
Pat Whelan, chairman of the Six Nations, paid his tributes, saying: “My thoughts go out to Anthony’s wife Olive and their two boys, his parents Brendan and Sheila, Munster Rugby, the IRFU and the wider rugby community. Anthony was the embodiment of rugby and its values. He will be a huge loss to everyone.”
Six Nations chief executive John Feehan added: “This is a devastating loss for Anthony’s family and the rugby community. Anthony will leave a lasting legacy for the sport in Ireland. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and with Munster Rugby.”
