Former Ireland and Munster prop Marcus Horan has paid tribute to his great friend Anthony Foley, reflecting on his loss by saying: "He was our leader, and we've lost our leader".
The rugby world is in mourning after the passing of Foley, 42, with tributes pouring in from all over the globe.
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His funeral on Friday was attended by hundreds in Killaloe, Co Clare, and he will be remembered with affectionate and emotional tributes when Munster face European Champions Cup opponents Glasgow in Limerick [1pm, live on RTÉ Radio 1].
For Horan, the respect and love that's been showered upon a man who served his province and country with unswerving loyalty is fitting.
"My abiding memory will always be of him lifting the [Heineken] Cup," Horan told Marian Finucane on RTÉ Radio 1.
"No better man deserved it. He was our leader, and we've lost our leader. That's what makes it so tough.
"What was really special was to see the boys come from all over the world to pay their last respects to Anthony. It's a great tribute to a great man.
"There was never any pomp or ceremony about him. He got up and got on with it, and loved every type of sport. It was always in his blood.
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"I heard somebody say that every time they saw him walking down the street in Killaloe he had a gearbag over his shoulder. He was just steeped in sport and I think everybody loved and respected that about him."
Having served alongside Foley on the field, Horan then experienced life under Foley the coach, before hanging up his boots and coming face to face with his old comrade from yet another perspective.
"I had the great experience of playing with him and being coached by him. Funnily enough when I started doing work with TG4 they asked me to start doing the interviews before games.
"I was very nervous about interviewing Axel. He came into the tunnel, I put the microphone in his face and he just started giggling at me. I couldn't keep a straight face.
"At the end of the interview he said, 'I can't stop feckin laughing at you!' That's a great memory I have. I could see when Munster weren't winning games that he was upset by it but he was determined to put it right and I think he was getting there with it. The whole country is behind them today."
