Munster to pay tribute to mother of Anthony Foley & wife of former star

A sad week for the club.

Sheelagh Foley, the mother of late Munster and Ireland icon, Anthony Foley, passed away last Wednesday, as did Michelle Payne, the wife of former player and team manager, Shaun Payne.

Former No 8, Foley, is one of the most iconic players in the province's history, and died while he was head coach of the team, before they took on Racing 92 in 2016.

Payne played fullback for Munster between 2003 and 2008, and won two Heineken Cups, starting in the final win against Biarritz in 2006.

Munster head coach, Ian Costello, made it clear that the team will look to honour their memory this weekend in their URC play-off quarter-final against the Sharks in Durban.

He said: “Could I just extend our deepest sympathies to the Foley family and also to the Payne family.

“They were two very important people in the Munster community and a massive loss to us this week, and that’s very close to our hearts.

“Brendan and Sheelagh were here [in South Africa, when they travelled with the squad] this time last year, and Brendan picked up the phone and rang me Sunday morning to almost apologise for not coming [to Durban] and wished us the best.

“Obviously Michelle and Shaun were huge in the club as well. That’s really important to the group this week especially as we’re in South Africa as well. They are very close to our hearts.”