Munster Confirm Glasgow Game Will Go Ahead In Heartbreaking Press Conference

Munster have confirmed that Saturday’s Champions Cup game against Glasgow at Thomond Park will go ahead.

The news was confirmed at a press conference where director of rugby Johan Erasmus and captain Peter O’Mahony spoke about their loss.

A clearly heartbroken Peter O’Mahony said:

“He’s been there since the start, every team that I supported he was in it. 

“He was a man that wanted a Munster jersey win.

“I’m not going to do him justice here. It’s all the words I can say to be honest.”

Erasmus stated that playing the match would have been Foley’s wish and that they don’t want to miss the opportunity for the late head coach.

“We don’t want to miss this opportunity for him.

“It’s a tough choice. It’s not easy either way but we don’t want to miss this opportunity.

“As difficult as it will be to play the next game no matter the time the opposition or the venue, we have an opportunity to play there this Saturday. That’s something that’s hugely important to all of us.”

Erasmus said playing at Thomond would tie people closer to Foley’s memory and give players and fans to embrace that. He also noted, that while the match was going ahead, it would be second to everything else.

He would never want us to say that the game is secondary, it’s just not the man he was, but it will be,” he said.

“It’s all about Anthony, now, and this weekend and will be for a long time.”

“It’s difficult. I know the players had so much respect for him that they are trying to get on with it , trying to do the job the way we think and know Anthony would want us to go on with it.

“That’s what drives us and makes us committed to get a proper performance out there.”

European Professional Club Rugby (EPRC) said in a statement that the decision to go ahead with the Pool 1 tie “was made after close consultation with the Munster management”.

The EPRC also requested that a minute’s silence or a minute’s applause be held at all European games this weekend.

Erasmus added that Foley was a good friend to him and someone who wore his heart on his sleeve.

“You don’t have to think of a lot of nonsense to say about him. You knew exactly where you stood with him,”

He would do anything for his friends. [RTE]