We didn’t think we would get emotional about the passing of Anthony Foley again, but who were we fooling.
There was a lovely tribute to the late Munster coach, and former captain, last night at the Rugby Writers of Ireland award ceremony. It perfectly captured the emotional journey ‘Axel’ had as a player and coach with his home province, as well as his light-hearted, joking demeanour.
Connacht’s Pat Lam received the Coach of the Year accolade later in the night and he had a particular night he shared with Foley last year.
Lam recalled a conversation he had with Foley in 2014 about how he was settling in after a year in Ireland. The Munster man asked if Lam he had sampled the Guinness much. The former Samoan international replied in the positive before Foley remarked:
“You haven’t had Guinness until you’ve had a proper feed… I’ll teach you.”
Foley told Lam to send a text at the next event they were at together. The text duly arrived ahead of the 2015 staging of the awards and Foley made room for Lam at his table.
“We spent the whole night talking and drinking Guinness,” said Lam. “It was a great night.”
The Connacht coach then spoke of the positive legacy Foley left Munster and declared his pride at how the province’s players had rallied so superbly in recent weeks, to now be in first place in the Guinness PRO12.
"Nothing makes me prouder than to see @Munsterrugby and those boys top of the table" – @connachtrugby coach Pat Lam pays tribute to Axel
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) November 29, 2016
Lam is delighted that Munster are getting back to their best but will be hoping that his own side can challenge them for top spot in the coming weeks. Contrary to some opinions, Lam believes stronger provinces will drive each other on.
He admitted he got emotional at the recent Ireland versus All Blacks game when Ireland’s Call was performed.
“Four proud provinces of Ireland,” he said, “and each one playing their part.”
Dick Clerkin makes his GAA Hour debut to talk about a wonderful career and argue passionately with Colm Parkinson over Sky Sports GAA. Subscribe here on iTunes.
