The icewoman cometh as Foley’s sister takes on new swim challenge
THE sister of Irish rugby legend Anthony ‘Axel’ Foley has revealed how his sudden death inspired her to adopt a new outlook on her own life.
The much-loved Foley died in his sleep in October 2016, while staying at a hotel in Paris with the Munster squad. He was 42 years old.
Now his sister Rosie, 37, a secondary school teacher, who has played for the Irish ladies rugby team and also swam the English channel, has revealed he was the inspiration behind her latest sporting venture that saw her qualify for the International Ice Swimming Association (ISA).
Members of that group race against each other but only when the water temperature is 5C or lower.
She told the Irish Mail On Sunday: ‘Since Anthony’s passing I have lived by the mantra that you never assume tomorrow is going to come, so do your very best today.
‘It is like something our dad Brendan, who also played rugby for Ireland, drilled into myself and Anthony as kids; never assume you are going to be picked on a team the next day – make sure your performances ensure you will.
‘I started swimming in the Shannon at Killaloe, where we ran a pub for years, when I was just 11. I can still recall the reward I got from Dad for learning – he brought me into Jimmy Whelan’s shop and bought me a rag doll I wanted. She had yellow hair and a blue dress.
‘Being based in Killaloe meant Level Five restrictions were no barrier and I covered 1.11 miles in just under 35 minutes.
‘I have no doubt that when I am swimming mad distances or in sub-zero conditions, Anthony is on my shoulder driving me on.’