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21st Oct 2016

Olive Foley gave an incredible eulogy to her ‘soul-mate’ husband today

Alan Loughnane

Axel Foley

We hear about the family man he was…

It’s been an emotional day in Munster and indeed throughout Ireland as Anthony Foley was laid to rest.

Thousands of people have paid their respects over the last couple of days to a man who for all the right reasons, epitomised Munster rugby.

During what is a hugely difficult, Anthony’s wife Olive stood up and gave a moving and emotional eulogy at today’s funeral.

She spoke of Anthony at home and how he was a man of few words, but how loved to go for a few “pucks” of the sliotar with his sons and all their future plans.

“We had great plans for the future, and we talked about going to Australia next year… and loads of other things we were going to do… but the show will go on and I’m going to stick to the plan, because Anthony is going to be with us in spirit every step of the way.”

At one point she stopped and read out a message that she had received from a Munster player about the influence Anthony had one his life. It read as follows:

“Olive, I just wanted to text you to let you know that Axel was special. He was the heart and soul of Munster. I worshipped him as a player for ten years and then had the privilege of having him as a coach. I owe him so much.
“I was in a really dark place during a long injury; I was horrible to the people I loved, and I had all but given up several times. But, Axel never lost faith in me. He always checked in with me, and he always supported me, even though I was pretty much a lost cause, and he had a million different other things going on.
“He loved you and the boys so much and I’m sorry for your loss, but I hope you know that Munster is your extended family and we are here with you at your time of loss. Axel meant a huge deal to me and I will miss him so much.”

It was both heartbreaking and moving and we extend our sincerest sympathies to the Foley family at this difficult time.

You can listen to her moving speech in full below, courtesy of RTE Sport.