Foleys take solace from response to Facebook campaign

The son of Munster rugby head coach Anthony ‘Axel’ Foley who died last week, has a “smile on his face at a time when smiles are not easily come by”, due to thousands of people here and abroad vowing to take part in his memorial campaign.

Eleven-year-old Tony launched the page on Monday asking people to attend eight Masses over eight Sundays in the run-up to Christmas, as he wanted to pay a special tribute to his father.

The Facebook site, Axel Foley Memorial campaign, was set up after Munster’s emotionally charged victory over Glasgow at Thomond Park in Limerick.

Anthony Foley died at the team hotel in Paris on Sunday, October 16, aged just 42, the day Munster were due to face Racing 92. The match was postponed as a mark of respect. An autopsy carried out in France found that his untimely death was due to “acute pulmonary oedema” caused by a heart rhythm disorder.

The site campaign — #8masses4no8 — starts this coming Sunday on what would have been his father’s 43rd birthday.

A posting on the site yesterdayreads: “To say that Tony, Dan, Olive and family are heartened by the response to Tony’s initiative yesterday with his #8masses4no8 campaign would be an understatement.

“It has put a smile on his face at a time when, as you can imagine, smiles are not that easily come by.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by people committing to the campaign — to attend Mass over the eight Sundays and/or light candles for their own loved ones. We’re particularly humbled by those who will be including Anthony in their prayers as they remember their own loved ones who have passed. That is, indeed, a great privilege.”

The family has received messages of support from all over the world.

“We’ve had messages of support for this campaign from here in Killaloe, from Limerick, from across Munster, Australia, New Zealand, France, the UK, missionaries in Africa, the Far East,” they wrote.

“We’ve had messages from school students, from teachers, from rugby fans and players. We’ve been delighted with the support coming from other faiths, including Buddhism, Church of Ireland, Islam, etc.

“We’ve had people tell us of how Tony’s campaign has brought them to, and remember, loved ones long since passed. That has particularly heartened us.”

The Facebook post also encouraged people to post images of the lit candles.

“Please, please send us in images of your candle when you light it, as we want this page to burn bright in memory of your loved ones as well as Anthony.

The posting adds how pleased young Tony is with the response so far.

“As for Tony himself, he has a simple message today: ‘Thank you for your support.’ ”