25 Facts About Anthony Foley

Anthony Gerard Foley was an Irish rugby union player and head coach of Munster.

Anthony Foley was attached to the same squad during his professional playing career.

In March 1989, Anthony Foley led St Munchin's College to victory in the Munster Schools Junior Cup.

Anthony Foley later represented Munster and Ireland Schools on several occasions over two seasons, notably during the 1992 Irish Schools tour of New Zealand.

Anthony Foley made his professional debut for Munster against Swansea in November 1995, a game that was Munster's first ever Heineken Cup fixture.

When Mick Galwey resigned as Munster captain, Anthony Foley narrowly lost to Jim Williams in a vote to decide the next captain.

When Williams left Munster in 2005, Anthony Foley became the new captain, and in his first season in the position, he led Munster to victory over Biarritz Olympique in the 2006 Heineken Cup Final.

Anthony Foley made his debut for Ireland against England in the 1995 Five Nations Championship on 21 January 1995.

Anthony Foley missed the 1999 Rugby World Cup, but was selected for the 2003 Rugby World Cup, featuring in two of the pool games against Romania and Australia.

Anthony Foley captained Ireland three times: in 2001 against Samoa, and in 2002 against Romania and Georgia.

In total Anthony Foley played in 62 matches for Ireland and scored 5 tries against England in 1995, Romania in 2001, Fiji in 2002, France in 2004, and Wales in 2004.

In March 2011, it was announced that Anthony Foley would take over as Munster forwards coach at the end of the 2011 season.

Anthony Foley temporarily replaced Gert Smal as Ireland's forwards coach during the 2012 Six Nations Championship, after Smal was forced to miss the remainder of the tournament with an eye condition.

Anthony Foley signed a contract extension with Munster in May 2013.

Anthony Foley was married to Olive; the couple had two children.

Anthony Foley played Gaelic football for his local GAA club Smith O'Briens in the parish of Killaloe, County Clare.

Anthony Foley lined out for Smith O'Briens GAA club in a Munster junior club football semi-final in 2010.

Anthony Foley played inter-county hurling for Clare at underage level alongside former Munster rugby player Keith Wood.

Anthony Foley died in his sleep on 16 October 2016, while staying at a hotel in the Paris suburb of Suresnes with the Munster squad; heart disease had caused an acute pulmonary edema.

Anthony Foley was brought home to Ireland on Wednesday 19 October 2016.

Anthony Foley's funeral took place on Friday 21 October 2016 at St Flannan's Church in Killaloe, County Clare.

Ahead of a game against Munster on 11 November 2016, the Maori All Blacks team paid tribute to Anthony Foley by placing a jersey with his initials on the halfway line before performing a Haka.

In June 2017, a monument to Anthony Foley was unveiled in Limerick.

In September 2017, Anthony Foley was posthumously awarded the Richard Harris Patrons' Award at the annual Munster Rugby London Dinner.

Anthony Foley was posthumously inducted into the Munster hall of fame during the 2018 Munster Rugby Awards.