Tribute to man who inspired respect
ANTHONY FOLEY: MUNSTERMAN RTÉ ONE, TONIGHT, 9.35PM
IT’S hard to believe that a year has passed since Anthony Foley’s truly shocking death in Paris.
Rugby fans will never forget that Sunday when news began to trickle in from France that something was seriously wrong, but nobody could have predicted the demise of the Muster and Irish stalwart.
We’re going through a time where we seem to be witnessing a freakishly high number of celebrity deaths. But while that can be explained by both the immediacy of social media and the fact that even celebrities have to die sooner or later, the shock of Foley’s death was different – here was a man who was virtually the embodiment of physical strength and mental fortitude.
Apart from the impact of his death on his family and friends – the only people who count when someone dies, after all – it landed like a sucker punch on the wider rugby fraternity around the world.
Even those Irish people who aren’t rugby fans found themselves at a loss to explain the untimely passing of a remarkable man.
Tonight sees the first airing of Anthony Foley: Munsterman, (RTÉ One, tonight, 9.35pm) a fitting tribute to a man who inspired respect wherever he played.
Featuring interviews with the likes of Paul O’Connell and Jerry Flannery as well as the back room staff who had to cope with the horrible events of that day a year ago, this is unmissable TV even for those who don’t like rugby.
We like to think of our international athletes somehow representing the best of us and that is why Foley’s death seemed to strike such a resonant chord with the country.
As tough as nails yet possessed by a decency which made even opponents respect him, his death left a gaping wound in Irish sport.
Speaking of untimely deaths, George Michael’s passing last Christmas also left a hole in the heart of his many fans and tonight sees the airing of Freedom: The George Michael Story (Channel 4, 9pm).
Nobody could have predicted that the singer from flimsy pop popinjays Wham! would grow up to become a genuinely serious artist and, like many of my generation, my rather sniffy view of the man was blown apart by Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1.
Released in 1990, it remains a truly beautiful and immersive record. As the name of tonight’s documentary indicates, the recording and release of that landmark album (Freedom was the third single taken from it) plays a pivotal role, and contributors include long-time fans such as Naomi Campbell and, intriguingly, Liam Gallagher.