Foley was a distinguished schools player with St Munchin’s in Limerick…

@stmunchins lost one of our finest this morning. The Foley family are in our thoughts and prayers. Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a h-anam pic.twitter.com/SvHIFFnWud — St Munchins Sport (@StMunchinsSport) October 16, 2016 Source: St Munchins Sport /Twitter

The face of determination while playing for Shannon against Cork Con in 1995…

Source: INPHO/Billy Stickland

A try on his Ireland debut against England in the 1995 Five Nations…

Source: INPHO

A 1997 inter-provincial clash with Connacht…

Source: Patrick Bolger/INPHO

Celebrating after a 1998 Shannon win with Alan Quinlan and Mick Galwey…

Source: INPHO/Billy Stickland

Jubilation after Munster’s 2000 Heineken Cup semi-final win in Toulouse…

Source: Patrick Bolger/INPHO

On the banks of the Shannon in 2001…

Source: INPHO

Under pressure from Martin Johnson during the 2002 Heineken Cup final…

Source: INPHO

A Six Nations try in Paris in 2004…

Source: INPHO

With Guy Easterby at the top of Table Mountain during a 2004 tour to South Africa…

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Source: INPHO

Victory in the 2005 Celtic Cup final…

Source: INPHO

Embracing Paul O’Connell after the 2006 Heineken Cup semi-final win against Leinster…

Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

A month later, European success at last…

Source: Billy Stickland/INPHO

He scored a try in his final game before retirement against Glasgow Warriors in 2008…

Source: Lorraine O'Sullivan/INPHO

The central figure in Munster’s new coaching ticket in August 2014…

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Showing the young pups how it’s done…

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Never the type to run for cover…

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

Munster through and through…

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

Farewell, Axel…