Cycle for Axel
By Thomas Conway
Whether you’re a Munster fan, a rugby enthusiast, or just a member of the community in Killaloe-Ballina, you tend to always remember where you were at that awful moment when the death of Anthony Foley was announced in 2016.
It sent shockwaves rippling through the world of sport and well beyond, and triggered a national outpouring of emotion. The grief was most profound for Anthony’s family and friends, but everybody felt it, such was the man’s stature and reputation.
This Saturday, April 25th, cyclists will gather in the shadows of Thomond Park for the “Cycle for Axel,” a special charity fundraiser which aims to celebrate the life of the Munster legend and raise funds for three worthy causes - Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), the Mid-Western Cancer Society, and the IRFU Charitable Trust.
The event, organised by Anthony’s sister Orla in conjunction with Limerick Cycle Club, features two challenges, a 60km loop and a 100km loop, both of which will spin out around Killaloe and back to the iconic stadium.
Following that, participants are invited to head into Thomond and enjoy the Munster vs Ulster inter-pro clash, which kicks off at 5:30pm. Tickets are €75, and include participation in the cycle, a meal at Shannon RFC and a match ticket. Cyclists of all abilities are welcome.
You can tell by speaking to Orla that this is intended as a day of celebration. It will, of course, be poignant, particularly for Anthony’s close family and friends, but Orla describes the event as “a lovely way to honour Anthony’s memory, to celebrate his life.” “He would have enjoyed it,” she adds, and you can bet that he would.
Almost 43 when he died, the back-row forward was taken far too young, but Orla remains grateful that she had him for the years he was there. Last year the Foley family lost another cherished member - Anthony, Orla and Rosie’s mother Shelagh, wife to Brendan. Her death came at the end of a long cancer journey and Orla says it was very different, but the family remains eternally grateful to all the palliative care team who supported Shelagh. She will be in their hearts as well this Saturday.
While Munster fans haven’t had as much to cheer about in recent times relative to that golden era in which Anthony lifted the European Cup, the spirit of community has never abated. Ultimately, Orla says, that is what this event is about, “celebrating courage and community.”
“It’s not just the cycle. It’s not just the match. It’s the whole community element, the community coming together and raising money in memory of Anthony. There’s a lovely energy to it, and especially in the current world it’s really nice to have something positive to focus on,” she concludes.