“He took up that ball and took Munster Rugby to places they never dreamed they would be.”
Stuart Barnes summed up the legacy of Anthony ‘Axel’ Foley on Munster Rugby following his tragic, sudden passing at the age of 42.
Foley passed away in a Parisian hotel, last night, where the Munster team was staying ahead of a now postponed match with Racing 92. The province, and Foley’s bereaved family, have asked for privacy at this difficult time.
It is with great sadness that we bid farewell to our coach, former captain, colleague and friend today, rest in peace Anthony Foley.
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) October 16, 2016
Sky Sports broke the news to their viewers at half-time of Ulster’s Champions Cup match with Bordeaux. Alan Quinlan, who was in the Sky studio, left as soon as he heard the awful news so it was left to former Ireland international Tyrone Howe and Barnes to pay their tributes.
The rugby world took to Twitter to somehow try and express their deep, desperate sense of loss.
Shannon, his former club, paid tribute:
We're absolutely devastated to hear of the passing of Anthony Foley. Our thoughts&prayers are with his wife Olive,his children& his family
— Shannon RFC (@Shannon_RFC) October 16, 2016
Former Munster and Ireland teammate Frankie Sheehan recalled the good times while acknowledging the bad.
Distraught at the tragic news of Anthony Foley,great friend,teammate & legend.Super form last weekend at Mick Galwey's 50th.Incomprehensible pic.twitter.com/lpnGMvnN2x
— Frankie Sheahan (@FrankieSheahan) October 16, 2016
French rugby legend Thierry Dusautoir was one of the first to pass on his condolences. He wrote [translated]: ‘Very sad to hear the death of Anthony Foley of Munster. A great player and opponent! My thoughts go out to his family.’
Très triste d'apprendre le décès d'Anthony Foley de @Munsterrugby ! Un grand joueur et adversaire ! Mes pensées vont vers sa famille! #rip
— Thierry Dusautoir (@TitiDusautoir) October 16, 2016
Axel shared many a battle with Welsh flanker Martyn Williams over the years.
https://twitter.com/martynewilliams/status/787641577099366400
Kerry GAA legend Tomás O Sé passed on his wishes.
Horrific news about Anthony Foley. Thoughts with his family and friends. RIP Munster and Irish 🍀 legend 🙏🏼
— Tomás Ó Sé (@tomas5ky) October 16, 2016
RTE’s head of sport Ryle Nugent bore witness to some of Foley’s finest deeds on the rugby field.
On those early mythical Munster European days he was the mythical man at its heart. He was also a top top bloke. His poor family. #RIPAxel
— Ryle Nugent (@ryle_nugent) October 16, 2016
Sebastien Chabal was left reeling by the news.
https://twitter.com/sebchabal/status/787641493355950081
But it was the reaction of everyday rugby supporters that summed up the positive impact Foley had on the game, the province of Munster and the country of Ireland.
Anthony Foley RIP, hard to believe it. There are no words.
— Mark Rowan (@Mark6R) October 16, 2016
Absolutely devastated to hear the sad news about Anthony Foley. Have the pleasure if knowing him since I was 16. A gent & a,legend.
— @Aoifs123 (@Aoifs123) October 16, 2016
Absolutely shocked & saddened at news that Anthony Foley has died. I grew up watching him play rugby for #Munster. #RIP Axel, Munster hero.
— Eimear Hurley (@eimearhurley) October 16, 2016
Terribly sad news about Anthony Foley's passing. One of the best of his generation as a player and making his way as a coach. RIP Anthony.
— Phil "back on the hamster wheel" Fandango (@twitchingphil) October 16, 2016
This will take a long time to truly sink in.
A legend has left us.
