Conor Murray Pays Touching Tribute To Anthony Foley Ahead Of PRO12 Semi-Final

A season of highs and lows, but perhaps not in that order.

Munster came into this season on a mission to right some wrongs. The decorated Irish province endured a torrid campaign last season, failing to get out of their Champions Cup pool and just about securing their status in Europe’s premier club competition through the PRO12.

During the summer new life was breathed into the club with the arrival of Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber. As a result Anthony Foley was given an opportunity to step back from the limelight and do what he did best and that’s coach a rugby team.

His death in October sent shockwaves around the rugby world and probably would have destroyed most teams. Munster however, aren’t most teams. They stuck to to the plan that Foley helped create and went on an amazing streak.

They reached the final four of the Champions Cup and now find themselves in a situation where they can go one better in the PRO12 this weekend. Ahead of the game Conor Murray spoke to TG4 and paid tribute to Foley and the role he had to play in their incredible season so far.

“It would be unjust not to mention what Axel was doing before he passed. We had started the season off pretty well. We had a great preseason. If Axel was still here. we’d be still doing great things because the mood before that was really good and really positive.”

“Obviously, that big event pushed us on to greater heights and that was the challenge to stay up there and not play on emotion every week. I think we’ve done a good job of it.”