IRISH GREATS BID FOLEY FAREWELL
FORMER Ireland legends Paul O’Connell and Brian O’Driscoll were among the hundreds of mourners who packed the church and surrounding streets yesterday for the funeral of Anthony Foley. The Munster head coach died aged 42 in a hotel in Paris just hours before the team were due to play Racing 92 in the European Champions Cup last Sunday. In a moving homily in Foley’s home town of Killaloe, Co Clare, Father Pat Malone said: ‘His presence was reassuring, his ability to care, his sheer support, his sense of camaraderie, made all the difference and — to borrow from another famous football anthem — knowing Anthony’s presence, you knew “You’ll never walk alone”. ‘Anthony “Axel” Foley made many a mark in his 42 short years of life. ‘Just look around and see; the indelible, warm, affirming marks he left in family, friends, colleagues, sports fans, this local community, rugby wherever it is spoken.’ In a moment of levity, he added: ‘I am fairly certain God could do with a top-class No 8.’ Foley (left) died from fluid on his lungs as a result of heart disease.