‘He’ll always be alive in my heart... I just don’t want to let him go’

Hardened Munster men, more used to roaring on their rugby heroes into battle, openly wept outside the hallowed turf of Thomond Park at the loss of their leader, friend, and comrade “Axel” Foley.

The sports-ground cauldron, which echoes the famous roar of the home fans on match day remained silent again as fathers and sons and mothers and daughters mourned at the shrine of jerseys, scarves and hats, left at the gates of the stadium, in memory of the Munster head coach.

The legendary Noel “Buddha” Healy, President of Shannon Rugby Club, who also wore the Munster red jersey, wept as he paid a heartfelt tribute to Foley, who won five All-Ireland Championships with the Limerick club.