Upcoming Kildare play pays tribute to Anthony Foley
follows eight Irish fans and four players in the build-up to, and during, Ireland's first ever Test win over New Zealand
“It's pride. Pride in place, pride in parish, pride in your friends. It’s understanding who you represent.”
Wednesday 16 October marks eight years since the tragic death of Munster and Ireland legend Anthony Foley in Paris. ‘Axel’, who captained Munster to their first ever Heineken Cup triumph, died of a cardiac myopathy on the morning his province were due to play Racing 92, in the same competition.
A week after Foley’s death, and the day after his funeral in Killaloe, Co Clare, his players took to the field at Thomond Park, defeated Glasgow Warriors and gave him a rousing send-off. Less than a month after the tragedy, four Munster players took their place at the front of a figure of eight tribute as Ireland faced down a fearsome All Blacks haka at Soldier Field in Chicago.
, written by best-selling author and playwright Pat McCarry, follows eight Irish fans and four players – Conor Murray, CJ Stander, Rob Kearney and Andrew Trimble – in the build-up to, and during, Ireland's first ever Test win over New Zealand. The story pays fitting homage to Axel and captures what it was like to be in Chicago for one of the most joyous, emotional days in Irish rugby history.
The play is being performed by The Sallins Dramatic Society and will be staged at Sallins Community Centre from 10-12 October, and at The Moat Theatre, Naas on 15 October. The dates are poignant as they fall the week before Foley’s eighth anniversary.
Proceeds from the play will go towards a fundraiser set up by Orla Foley, Anthony’s younger sister, to help celebrate his life and legacy. Money raised on the night of the Naas show will go to the Mid-Western Cancer Foundation, Irish Rugby Charitable Trust and CRY, which provides screening and free bereavement counselling for families at risk of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS). Rosie Foley, Anthony’s other sister, recently took part in the ‘Escape From Alcatraz’ swim, in San Francisco, to raise money for the same cause.
“ is [a] wonderful play that captures the magic link between team and the 16th man, us supporters,” said Orla. “It also invokes memories of that historic moment when Ireland honoured my brother’s memory for their first ever win over the mighty All Blacks. Raw with grief, I watched the game at home with my parents. My dad had the privilege of being part of the ‘78 Munster team, who were first Irish side to beat the All Blacks. The scoreline that day, in Chicago, was the exact reverse of the last time Anthony played New Zealand (in 2001). It truly felt like he was sending a sign from beyond the veil.
“It’s hard to believe it’s nearly eight years since Anthony’s death, which this play marks with its staging in Naas. Thanks to Pat McCarry and his team, all at Naas RFC and the extended rugby community for helping to celebrate Anthony’s life, and the success of Irish rugby.”
The play was first performed over four nights, in 2019, at The Mill Theatre in Dundrum, and received standing ovations after each showing. Capturing that sense of big-match euphoria, there are moments of gripping drama, tension-relieving comedy, pure dread, giddy hope and a taste of what a white-knuckle ride that day was.
will be staged at The Moat Theatre, Naas on Tuesday 15 October. Tickets are €18 and are available at moattheatre.com. The play has its initial run at Sallins Community Centre from 10-12 October, with tickets available at www.eventbrite.ie.
