“Our anguish at the sudden loss of Anthony is bottomless.”
The family of Anthony Foley have extended their deepest appreciation to the “endless legions of friends and the wider rugby family here and abroad” for their outpouring of support and sympathy following his untimely passing at the weekend.
Munster Rugby head coach Foley, who was just 42 years old, passed away in Paris ahead of Munster’s Champions Cup clash with Racing 92.
News of Foley’s passing shook the sporting community in Ireland and beyond on Sunday.
After tributes to the former Munster and Ireland captain flowed in from all over the globe, his family issued a statement on Monday to express appreciation for the outpouring of sympathy and support.
Foley is survived by his wife, Olive and his two sons, Tony and Dan. Due to his passing having occurred in Paris, funeral arrangements are yet to be finalised.
The statement of the Foley family can be read in full below:
“The family of Anthony Foley wishes to extend its deepest appreciation to the endless legions of friends and the wider rugby family here and abroad for the huge outpouring of support and sympathy since Anthony’s tragic and most untimely passing at the weekend.
“With Anthony’s passing, we have ultimately lost an amazing, adoring and loving father and husband; an equally caring, loyal and devoted son and brother; a central and go-to figure for the wider Foley and Hogan families. Our anguish at the sudden loss of Anthony is bottomless. We have been plunged deep into an incomprehensible darkness and sense of loss that we must work our way through over the coming days, weeks, months and years.
“We know, too, that his sudden death has brought the rugby worlds of Shannon RFC, Munster, Ireland and much further afield crashing down. You have lost a former player, coach, friend and all-round inspiration – your and our hero both. We mourn his loss together.
“We again wish to thank everyone for their support; it will help carry us through these darkest days.
“With regard to media, we thank you also for the sensitive way in which you have paid tribute to Anthony since the weekend but we do ask that our privacy and that of his close friends be respected over this tragic period.”
