Anthony Foley facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Anthony Gerard Foley

Foley in his early Ireland days
Birth name	Anthony Gerard Foley
Date of birth	(1973-10-30)30 October 1973
Place of birth	Limerick, Ireland
Date of death	16 October 2016(2016-10-16) (aged 42)
Place of death	Suresnes, France
Height	1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Weight	111 kg (17.5 st; 245 lb)
School	St Munchin's College
Notable relative(s)	Brendan Foley (father)
Spouse	Olive Foley
Children	2 sons
Rugby union career
Position(s) Number 8, Flanker Amateur team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1992–2007 Shannon 88 (95) Correct as of 4 December 2011 Senior career Years Team Apps (Points) 1995–2008 Munster 201 (195) Correct as of 29 November 2011 National team(s) Years Team Apps (Points) 1995–2005 Ireland 62 (25) Correct as of 29 November 2011 Teams coached Years Team 2011–2014 2014–2016 Munster (Forwards Coach) Munster (Head Coach)

Anthony Gerard Foley (born 30 October 1973 – died 16 October 2016) was a famous Irish rugby union player. He later became the head coach for Munster. He played for Munster throughout his professional career.

Foley helped the Munster team win the 2002–03 Celtic League. He was also the captain when they won the 2005–06 Heineken Cup. He played for the Ireland from 1995 to 2005. He was captain of the Irish team three times.

Early Rugby Days

In March 1989, Anthony Foley led his school, St. Munchin's College, to victory. They won the Munster Schools Junior Cup. He then played for Munster and Ireland Schools teams for two seasons.

A notable trip was the 1992 Irish Schools tour of New Zealand. His team won six out of eight games. They narrowly lost the final game to a New Zealand side. This New Zealand team included the legendary player Jonah Lomu.

Playing for Clubs

Foley started his professional career with Munster in November 1995. This was also Munster's first ever Heineken Cup match. He played against Swansea.

He was part of the Munster team that lost two Heineken Cup finals. They lost to Northampton Saints in 2000. They also lost to Leicester Tigers in 2002. However, Foley finally won a major title with Munster in 2003. They won the 2002–03 Celtic League.

In 2005, Foley became the captain of Munster. In his first season as captain, he led Munster to victory. They beat Biarritz Olympique in the 2006 Heineken Cup Final. Foley had played in almost all of Munster's first 78 Heineken Cup games. He missed some games in 2006 due to a shoulder injury.

He stopped being captain at the start of the 2007–08 season. Paul O'Connell took over the role. Foley announced his retirement from playing at the end of that season.

Playing for Ireland

Anthony Foley played his first game for Ireland on 21 January 1995. This was against England in the 1995 Five Nations Championship. He scored a try in this match.

He went to the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa. He played as a substitute in one game against Japan. Ireland won that game 50-28. He was also chosen for the 2003 Rugby World Cup. He played in two pool games there.

Foley was captain for Ireland three times. He captained the team in 2001 against Samoa. He also led the team in 2002 against Romania and Georgia. His last international game was in 2005 against Wales.

In total, Foley played 62 matches for Ireland. He scored 5 tries during his international career.

Coaching Career

In March 2011, Anthony Foley became the forwards coach for Munster. He also temporarily helped coach Ireland's forwards in 2012. This was during the 2012 Six Nations Championship.

In 2014, Foley became the head coach for Munster. He signed a two-year contract for this role.

Personal Life

Anthony Foley was married to Olive. They had two sons together. His father, Brendan Foley, also played rugby for Ireland. His sister, Rosie Foley, also played rugby for Ireland.

Foley was also a talented Gaelic sportsman. He played Gaelic football for his local club, Smith O'Brien's. He also played hurling for Clare at a younger age. He was nicknamed 'Axel'. This nickname came from a character in the movie Beverly Hills Cop.

Foley passed away suddenly on 16 October 2016. He was in France with the Munster team at the time. The rugby match they were preparing for was postponed. Many people, including the President of Ireland, paid tribute to him. The Irish flag was flown at half-mast in Munster.

His funeral took place in Killaloe, County Clare. After his death, Munster played their first game against Glasgow. Tributes were paid to Foley during the game. The number 8 jersey, which he wore, was retired for that match. The Irish national team also honored him before a game against New Zealand. They formed a figure of 8 to face the All Blacks' Haka.

Legacy

To remember Anthony Foley, a special award was created. The best European rugby player of the year now receives the Anthony Foley Memorial Trophy. This trophy honors his important contributions to European rugby.

In June 2017, a monument was unveiled in Limerick to remember him. He also received the Richard Harris Patrons' Award in September 2017. This award recognized his strong values and spirit. In 2018, he was added to the Munster Rugby Hall of Fame.

Honours

Shannon

• All-Ireland League:
  • Winner (5):1994–95, 1995–96, 1996–97, 1997–98, 2001–02

Munster

• Heineken Cup:
  • Winner (2): 2005–06, 2007–08
• Celtic League:
  • Winner (1): 2002–03
• Celtic Cup:
  • Winner (1): 2005

Ireland

• Triple Crown:
  • Winner (1): 2004

Individual

Awards

• RTÉ Sports Hall of Fame Award: 2016
• Munster Rugby Hall of Fame: 2018

Images for kids

• 

  Foley in his early Ireland days

See also

In Spanish: Anthony Foley para niños