With the tributes continuing to pour in for the late Anthony Foley, a view from the rugby heartland in Limerick gives us an insight into the man and his days playing for Shannon.
The Munster head coach died in a Paris hotel as his team prepared for their Champions Cup clash with Racing 92, and there has been widespread shock at the untimely death of the 42-year-old.
Foley began his playing career with Shannon but he was well used to the goings on at Thomond Park even before he stepped out onto the field of play.
Munster Rugby thank public for support in wake of Anthony Foley's death https://t.co/0x9BmFIV6l
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 18, 2016
Speaking on Game On on 2fm, Len Dineen, a commentator with Limerick's Live95FM takes up the story: "He had a Shannon jersey on him before he could walk. He was in the Shannon dressing room even when the team talks were going on.
"As a young fella there for cup matches, he told me that the language was blue as he sat there in the corner. He was soaking all that in.
"When he put on the Shannon jersey, he was a real Shannon man and played in some very good Shannon packs.
"They won the All-Ireland League so many times. They had a four-in-a-row. In that time Anthony Foley played 48 matches without a break. I can't remember him being injured."
Tributes pour in for Anthony Foley https://t.co/28XHm0XfCD
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) October 17, 2016
As for Foley the man, Dineen was in no doubt the Killaloe native did possess a great rugby brain, even though you did have to work a bit to gain his confidence.
"He was a complex guy and some people say he was a gruff bastard," he added.
Yes, he didn't suffer fools easily. Once you got his confidence and he was confident in your company and he saw that you weren't bullshitting him, then he would let you inside this hard exterior that he put out.
"He was such a knowledgeable rugby player. Keith Wood said he was one of the most knowledgeable players he ever played with. He was that. His career speaks for itself."
