‘Axel’ Foley honoured with spot in Hall of Fame

THE late Anthony Foley was honoured at the annual Munster Rugby Awards ceremony in Cork when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame.

His wife Olive accepted the award at the function, sponsored by the Irish Independent, which was attended by the Munster senior squad and management and several hundred guests at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs in Cork.

All proceeds raised on the day are going towards the Irish Heart Foundation - Munster Rugby’s nominated charity for the current season.

Axel Foley, who died suddenly in October 2016, captained Munster to the 2006 Heineken Cup title. He made 201 appearances for Munster, won 62 caps for Ireland, and played in all 48 games in Shannon’s famous four-in-a-row from 1995 to 1998.

Keith Earls was named Munster Player of the Year, ahead of fellow nominees Jean Kleyn and Rory Scannell. The Limerick man is the first to claim the senior award, young player of the year and academy player of the year.

Centre Sammy Arnold was named as Young Player of the Year while the John McCarthy Award for Greencore Munster Rugby Academy Player of the Year went to Fineen Wycherley.

Two-time Six Nations winner Gillian Bourke is the Munster Women’s Player of the Year having played an integral role as Munster reclaimed the inter-provincial title.

Joy Neville was named Referee of the Year for the second season in a row. Old Crescent RFC took the Senior Club of the Year award, while the junior award also went to a Limerick club with Richmond RFC being honoured.

Newport RFC won the Club Youth award, with Killarney RFC taking the Club mini section, while Glenstal Abbey won the School of the Year.