Anthony Foley's contribution to Limerick was never in doubt, but the late Munster and Irish rugby legend's legacy was honoured today, with a lifetime achievement award from the city.
Foley's widow Olive accepted the award on her husband's behalf at this afternoon's annual Limerick Person of the Year awards.
The world of rugby was stunned on October 16th last year, when news broke that the Muntser head coach passed away suddenly at the age of 42, just hours before his side were to take on Racing 92 in the opening round of the Champions Cup.
In the days and weeks that followed, tens of thousands signed the many books of condolences around the country, with the gates of Thomond Park turning into a shrine to the province's 2006 Heineken Cup winning captain.
Tony Ward - who played alongside Foley's father Brendan when Munster beat the All-Blacks in 1978 - presented Olive Foley with the award.
Olive Foley accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award in memory of her late husband Anthony at the Limerick Person of the Year 2016 pic.twitter.com/NOa80AsEE7
— Áine Fitzgerald (@AineFitzgeraldA) February 16, 2017
"I’m pretty sure Anthony would be recoiling with the attention here today. He was very proud of his association with Limerick and from a sporting perspective will always be associated with Munster and Shannon, with many of his greatest rugby moments here in Limerick," she said
"We know that everyone here misses him and it goes without saying that we do. But we really appreciate the fact that he is thought of and remembered so fondly, including with this Lifetime Achievement Award," she added.
Foley played more than 200 games in 13 years for Munster, where he won two Heineken cup titles before his retirement in 2008.
The number 8 also represented Ireland on 62 occasions, as well as lifting five All-Ireland League titles with his club Shannon.
