Gallant Munster turn down kind Ulster offers of further Anthony Foley tributes.
First off, Ulster Rugby’s kind offers must be applauded.
Munster’s respectful answer was resounding – thanks but no thanks. Time to move on.
Supporters all over Europe united in grief, and celebration, last weekend as the excellent life and career of late Munster and Ireland legend Anthony Foley was celebrated.
One of the most touching tributes over the Champions Cup weekend involved the Ulster and Exeter Chiefs fans singing Fields of Athenry during the opening stages of their clash, and after a pristine minutes’ silence to remember Foley.
Amazing scenes. Fair play to the @UlsterRugby and Exeter fans https://t.co/PID77RtzY2
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 22, 2016
Ulster will, tonight, unveil a plaque in the away dressing room at Kingspan Stadium that marks their regard for Foley the man, and Foley the fierce competitor. A book of condolence has also been set up in the main concourse behind the Memorial Stand and there is a feature on Foley in the match programme.
The northern province wanted to go a step, or two, further and offered Munster Rugby the option of their players and coaches taking part in another minutes silence. Ulster also proposed that both teams could wear black arm-bands.
SportsJOE understands that Munster, with all the gratitude in the world, told Ulster neither step would be worthy.
The great man has been remembered and, as Munster’s CJ Stander commented last week, Foley would have wanted his team to get their heads down and focus on the next job.
That job is turning over the league leaders in Belfast tonight. Tasks don’t come much bigger than that.
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