Anthony Foley's wife Olive and family have released a statement following the tragic death of the Munster head coach at the weekend.
Foley, aged 42, died overnight in a Paris hotel, in the hours before Sunday's Champions Cup game with Racing 92. The match was postponed, once the tragic news became known.
In the statement released on Monday afternoon, Foley was remembered as a father, husband, son and brother.
“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."
Books of condolence have been opened around the country, with Thomond Park and Irish Independent Park both open in Limerick and Cork, to allow fans pay their respects to Axel.
Tributes are paid to Munster head coach Anthony Foley outside Thomond Park at the Shannon RFC clubhouse gate. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
