A tribute song to Munster and Irish legend Anthony Foley will be launched during half-time in this weekend’s rugby international between Ireland and New Zealand at the Aviva Stadium.
Penned and performed by Hermitage Green singer and former Irish rugby international Barry Murphy, ‘Alone You Stand’ is being released on the fifth anniversary of the untimely death of Axel Foley from Killaloe.
All proceeds from sales are being donated to the ‘Orla’s Wild Ways’ charity, a new project developed by Orla Foley in memory of her late brother.
Orla has already undertaken a 3,000km cycle along the Wild Atlantic Way, raising €9,000 in the process for the Mid-Western Cancer Foundation, children’s charity CARI and CRY, which provides screening and free bereavement counselling for families at risk of Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS).
Orla said she has been pleasantly surprised at the groundswell of generosity she has encountered. “It’s been a case of pushing an open door. People are only too happy to go out of their way to honour Anthony and to help raise money for these worthy charities,” she explained.
Regeneron sponsored the recording and production of Barry’s song while the IRFU helped to organise the launch at Aviva Stadium.
Staging the launch on the day Ireland face the All Blacks “makes it a much more special occasion for us all,” Orla admitted. “Dad was on the Munster Team that beat the All Blacks in 1978, Barry Murphy was on the Munster team that nearly beat the All Blacks in 2008, and the Irish team made the very special Axel 8 formation after Anthony died for the historic win in Chicago in 2016”.
“Personally, I just want to keep alive the memory of my beautiful brother who continues to inspire me while also raising much needed funds for three worthy charities in the process,” Orla concluded.
‘Alone You Stand’ by Barry Murphy is available to download from https://www.idonate.ie/AloneYouStand. Donations to ‘Orla’s Wild Ways’ charity can be made at www.idonate.ie/ORLASWILDWAYS.
