Munster’s most-capped player Anthony Foley announced on Monday that he will retire from rugby, at both club and provincial level, at the end of the current season.
Foley’s record 85th Heineken Cup appearance in Saturday’s Pool 5 decider against Wasps helped Munster reach the knockout stages of the competition for the 10th consecutive season.
His 23 Heineken Cup tries makes him Munster’s leading try scorer in Europe, and his overall total of 44 sees him lead the try-scoring list for the province. In addition he has been capped by Ireland at senior level on 62 occasions and also represented his country at Schools, Under-21 and ‘A’ levels.
He made his senior competitive debut for Munster against Edinburgh in October 1994 and won the first of those 85 Heineken Cup caps just over a year later against Swansea at Thomond Park.
Speaking about his decision, the 34-year-old, who has played 192 times for Munster and led the province to their Heineken Cup victory in 2006, said: “It goes without saying that I have enjoyed my time immensely with Munster. I’ve had a great career and I would like to say thanks to all those, starting in St. Munchin’s, then in my club Shannon and Munster for helping me in my career.
“I don’t want to mention names in case I leave people out but my sincere thanks to those who have helped me along the way.
“I’m not sure there is a good time to go. It certainly isn’t easy to leave it behind but I think the end of this season is the right time to hang up the boots.
“I would also like to thank my colleagues down the years, acknowledge their contribution for both club and province and wish the current squad the very best in their endeavours,” he added.
Commenting on Foley’s decision, Munster coach Declan Kidney said: “What can you say about an individual like Anthony Foley. His statistics say one thing about him, over 13 years of top flight rugby, but those in the squad and management will remember his influence in the dressing room and authority on the field.
“Everyone knows him as a very good player. We know him as a very good man.
“But he’s not gone anywhere yet. There’s still a lot of rugby to be played between now and the end of the season, and we’ll be doing our level best to make it a memorable end to a tremendous career.”
Anthony Foley’s International Stats
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