Anthony Foley: Ireland’s warrior lies in repose with an emperor

Anthony Foley would be impressed.

His final hours yesterday and today in St Flannan’s Church, Killaloe, were spent on the spot where Brian Boru, emperor of Ireland, once reigned.

Brian Boru, we are told, “liberated Ireland from the threat of foreign domination” from his Palace of Kincora, which was located on the site of St Flannan’s.

In more recent times whenever the French, Welsh, English, and Scots tried to dominate the turf of Lansdowne Road during the reign of Anthony Foley, the ghost of Brian Boru would invariably rise in the No 8 Irish jersey to man the ramparts and fend off the invaders.

For this, Anthony Foley is surely deserving of occupying the place of the Emperor of Ireland for one last time before his final journey this afternoon.

Long trails of mourners ascended Killaloe’s main street for hours yesterday to pay their respects.

Current Ireland coach Joe Schmidt led the battalions of stellar soldiers, including All Black great Doug Howlett and Anthony’s close childhood friend, Keith Wood.

Ex-teammate Keith Wood organises the huge queues as thousands of mourners filled the town of Killaloe to pay tribute to their legendary son, Anthony Foley, at St Flannans Church on Thursday. Picture: Brian Arthur

There, too, were the Wallace brothers, David and Paul, along with former Ireland coaches Declan Kidney and Eddie O’Sullivan.

The current international crop mingled with the Munster, Leinster, and Connacht squads.

Willie Ruane, chief executive of Connacht Rugby, who accompanied Pat Lam and many of the western squad, said: “It it really a sad day for the Foley family, the Munster family, the rugby family. The outpouring of emotion transcends rugby and reflects the type of man Anthony Foley was.”

The hearse with the coffin arrived at the church from the family home just as the clock struck one.

By then, the queue of mourners was over half a mile long.

Former Munster coach Alan Gaffney was among thousands of mourners in Killaloe yesterday. Picture: Brian Arthur

Members of the Munster Rugby Supporters Club choir gathered at the church at 10.30am and included Noreen Ahern from Clarecastle, Margaret Kirby from Crecora, Nollie McCarthy from Quin, Michelle Darcy from Clonlara, Therese O’Donovan, and Olive Burdell from Limerick.

Margaret said: “Our renditions of the ‘Fields of Athenry’ and ‘There Is An Isle’ at the match this Saturday will be our tribute to Anthony.”

Stewards from Thomond Park helped local gardaí and volunteers manage the traffic plan, which involved shuttle buses running from the outskirts of the town.

Jackie Gaffrey, who has been stewarding at Thomond Park, said: “I met many fans I’d meet at Thomond Park on a match day and the mood was completely sombre.”

Colm Moran, operations manager of Thomond Park, said that tomorrow’s game will be an occasion of great emotion.

He said: “We expect a full house and everything will be done appropriately and in a considered way on the day. We will have to focus on 26,000 people coming through the gates and we have to deliver to those people because there will be a lot of emotion. With a 1pm start, the first staff will be in the ground by 5.30am.”

The local community in Killaloe at a time of great loss, extended generous hospitality to the thousand who came yesterday to share in their grief.

Tom McCoy, president of Young Munster, said: “It is so sad. Such a very young man in the prime of his life with more greatness to come as a coach. I suppose somebody greater than us had better use for the man.