“Then his warriors laid him in the middle of it,
Mourning a lord far-famed and beloved...
...They were disconsolate
And wailed aloud for their lord's decease”.
From The Funeral of Beowulf, Seamus Heaney
Voices cracking with emotion, former teammates and opponents paid tribute to their fallen comrade Anthony Foley.
Ronan O’Gara, Peter Stringer, Will Greenwood, Martyn Williams, on-field friends and foes respectively talking of this stellar rugby human being. Brave, fearless, intelligent and humble.
The heartrending posts from men who soldiered in the fields of France, in England, Scotland and in the cathedrals of Irish sport, in Croke Park, Lansdowne Road and his spiritual home, Thomond Park.
Most of all, thoughts go out to Anthony's wife Olive and their two young sons, Tony and Dan. His dad Brendan and mum Sheila, and his sisters Rosie and Orla.
One of the most poignant images of recent days show Anthony standing helping his son attach the straps on his hurling helmet at Smith O'Brien's underage hurling training, just like any dad does. In his book he talks of his relationship with his own dad Brendan and their sporting lives.
"Sport has always dominated my life. When I look back now though, I realise I had only one true hero. And he's still my hero. My old man."
It is Munster and Irish rugby's Cormac McAnallen moment. People literally stopped in their tracks when told the tragic news early on Sunday.
But what has emerged over the last 24 hours, is reinforced time and again, and is no surprise to anyone who followed Axel in his career, is his joy for life, the cleverness with which he played the game and his serious competitive nature.
A serious player, he was also known for his fondness for the craic. Ronan O’Gara relates in his book how the Irish team returned from the World Cup in 2007 feeling wounded and humiliated when into their phones dropped a text message from Foley. It read: Ye're not the first Irish team to bring disgrace on the nation and ye won't be the last. Dark humour by way of empathy and perspective.
St Munchin’s, Shannon, Munster, Ireland. Irish by birth, Munster by the Grace of God as the saying goes.
He also had an interest in the GAA from a young age. He represented Clare hurlers once at underage level, and in recent years togged out for the Smith O'Briens footballers. Keith Wood grew up with Anthony Foley and they hurled together for the Smith O’Brien’s before soldiering together for Munster and Ireland. Speaking of his friend in the foreword to his memoir Axel, Wood said:
"He is, as I have always said, the smartest rugby player I have ever had the honour of playing with or against. There were more talented, more skilful players, but none that maximised their talent so fully. Foley invariably did the right thing on a rugby field because he understood the game. He rarely had to think about what to do; he knew what to do."
His know-how began at his father's side, attending and watching games; moving up through the ranks with St Munchin’s and on from Shannon to Munster. Anthony scored against England on his Ireland debut and took great pleasure in putting one over on them. His finest hour was perhaps when he led Munster to their first Heineken Cup success in Cardiff, one of the great days in Irish sport. But he represented his province and country on many great days.
In his brilliant and hugely entertaining memoir Axel reveals himself as a man who was passionate yet humorous, humble yet proud. What comes through above all is his sense of place, pride in his family, and passion for sport. He was and always will be the very epitome of Munster rugby.
To his family, friends and all supporters of Munster we extend our sympathy.