Stars ready to honour Foley’s legend

IT’S BEEN a while since he announced his retirement, and there’s still a lot of rugby to be played before Munster’s outstanding number eight Anthony Foley finally hangs up his boots, sails into the sunset, but already the tributes have started.

Yesterday at the new Hilton Hotel in Limerick, the details of the three-day testimonial events planned from May 27-29 were announced by Dr Roger Downer, President Emeritus of UL, chairman of the organising committee. Joining him were such Munster luminaries — past and present — as Brian O’Brien, Mick Galwey, Paul O’Connell, Shaun Payne and Marcus Horan; all were fulsome in their praise of Foley.

“I’ve been involved with Anthony for many years,” said O’Brien, who has served at every level of rugby, on and off the field. I think his father’s first game with Shannon was my last. Brendan acquitted himself with club, province and country equally as well as Anthony has done, Anthony carried on that tradition.