I never played rugby. The first I heard about it was in the early 80's. A bust up over lads from Clanwilliam RFC in Tipp town not being allowed into a disco over wearing jeans. Hard to believe nowadays. Fair enough said the boys who went a few miles out the road to Kilfeacle to found Kilfeacle RFC in a picturesque setting looking directly onto the Galtee Mountains.
Decades ago considered only a sport that a certain strata of society played, rugby was beginning to spread.
Then the father went into Pierse Motors in Tipp town to get an exhaust looked at. While Arthur Pierse assessed things, a hulk of a young fella in overalls came out to take the car keys. That was Alan Quinlan, who became a European Cup winner.
I went to school in Doon CBS, Co. Limerick it was only GAA there. And hurling at that. The next time I met Quinlan he was part of the Irish rugby squad. He introduced me to Anthony Foley one of his contemporaries. Even in short soundbites you could feel the energy and drive he would add to a team. Can you imagine what it must have been like in a dressing room?
Hard to explain to teenagers today that there was a time when you were either GAA, rugby or soccer. Never all three or even 2 out of the three. Munster changed all that. They were of the community. You had Gallimh playing football with Kerry. Axel even tried the hurling.
Thats what was different about Munster. As rugby's prefessional era took off suddenly guys who were grounded in their sense of community and identity were on the international stage.
When Limerick was suffering bad press there was one shining light. The Munster rugby team.
Thousands shared the disappointments before the exhiliration of 2006. Anthony Foley drove that. Others were on the journey but Foley took it to a new level.
Today Anthony Foley will be taken to his final resting place following his sudden death in Paris.
In Anthony's native village of Killaloe there is a bridge over the river Shannon that unites Clare and Tipperary.
Throughout his playing career Anthony united the province.
Today Munster, Ireland and the rugby world is united in grief over his passing, as One.
We hope his wife Olive, sons Tony and Dan, Anthonys dad Brendan, mum Sheila and sisters Orla and Rosie draw some strength from the outpouring.
Axel will be laid to rest in the village where another high king of Munster - Brian Boru was born.
While his place in history is assured, Anthony is Gone too soon.
At dheis de go raibh se
From Today FM to the Foley family and the Munster family this is our slan.
