A Munster man by the grace of God.
Anthony Foley had so much more to give in this life but, overnight, it was all taken away from us.
Ahead of the province’s Champions Cup opener with Racing 92, the Limerick native passed away in the team hotel in Paris and it has left the rugby world and Irish sport in a state of mourning.
Les supporters du @Munsterrugby saluent la mémoire de Anthony Foley pic.twitter.com/RmgCajyRWL
— Racing 92 (@racing92) October 16, 2016
The news came from nowhere. No chance to thank Foley for his service to the red of Munster. No chance to say goodbye.
Those words can at least be put in writing now. On Monday, at midday, seven different councils will open a book of condolence for fans, friends, peers to leave their own tributes to the 42-year-old who was taken far too soon.
The books will be opened at the following locations:
- Cork City Council
- Cork County Council
- Limerick City and County Council
- Kerry County Council
- Tipperary County Council
- Waterford City and County Council
- Clare County Council
We might never get to say bye to him, but we can certainly remember him. Honour him.
Les supporters du @Munsterrugby saluent la mémoire de Anthony Foley 1/2 pic.twitter.com/42cXt2IAk1
— Racing 92 (@racing92) October 16, 2016
“He was soft spoken at times but, boy, when he spoke, he spoke,” SportsJOE Rugby Correspondent, Patrick McCarry, penned a tribute to the Munster coach.
“His dreams were Munster because Munster was a huge part of him. Munster, family , friends, parish. The order often changed but those were the pillars.
“If you needed a man to step up and make that one, crucial play, Anthony Foley was that man.”
RIP Axel https://t.co/yiCLgeSUx3
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 17, 2016
