Anthony Foley: Incredible leader lost to the cause

Ireland is famous for its traditions, particularly the overwhelming sense of connection and loyalty people still retain for their own community - be that a small village, a city, a county or even a province.

Never is this demonstrated more than on its sporting fields where local or provincial rivalries, rich in colour and pomp, dominate conversations for days on end until bragging rights are finally settled.

Much like everyone else of my age, I grew up playing most sports - endlessly reading about the many achievements of Ireland’s superstars, like Ronnie Delany and the great Christy Ring but nothing captivated my mind more than Munster’s historic victory over the All Black’s at Thomond Park in 1978.