It hasn’t happened all that often.
When I watch a game with a player recommendation in mind, my focus is usually squarely on them and doesn’t deviate. I went to the Munster Schools Senior Cup final back in March to get a look at Gene O’Leary Kareem. Normally, that’s the only player I come away thinking about. Except this time. While I was more than impressed with O’Leary Kareem, I was just as impressed with the CBC lock Michael Foy. Like I said, that hasn’t happened all that often.
When I was walking from the stadium to the car after the game I recorded a little podlet for the TRK Secret Club and the word that came to mind when I was talking about Michael Foy’s performance in this game was… inspirational.
I’ve since watched that final back again two or three times and that’s been my core takeaway about Foy’s performance in that game specifically, and what I’ve been able to find out about him in general. This player is a serious talent and right then I knew he’d be a cert to go into the Munster academy, which turned out to be the case.
This leads to an obvious conclusion; that we’re talking about him at all as a Munster Academy member at just 18 years of age straight out of school as a tight forward. Think Evan O’Connell, think Tom Ahern, think James Ryan – these are the players who have done the same.
Of course, it’s not a guarantee that, just because you make the academy as a lock forward at 18, you’re going to be a superstar. Injury plays its part, as it did for guys like Eoin O’Connor who came into the Munster academy at the same time that Tom Ahern did. Fineen Wycherley did the same and, as of yet, has yet to properly break through as a super-elite talent despite earning 106 caps for Munster, which is no mean feat in and of itself.
My point is that becoming a super elite tight forward in the modern game is incredibly difficult.
What’s your point of difference? For some players, it’s size. Fellas who come into an academy north of 6’7″ and well north of 100kg as teenagers will always get a shot because their advantages are obvious. Michael Foy is, by my reckoning, close enough to 6’4″/6’5″ togged out and around 105kg which, at 18, is really good going. With a fair wind and a bit of luck, he could end up slightly north of 6’6″ when it’s all said and done as a senior pro, with a frame that can support well north of 115kg too, in my opinion.
His height will determine a lot of his future role, in my opinion, but I’d be hopeful that he’s got a bit more size in him. Even as it stands, he’s got a really long wingspan and an explosive jump, so he plays bigger than he looks in the lineout, and on both sides of the throw too. Foy’s biggest strength, in my opinion, is his “coach’s son” level of sharpness and aptitude at the lineout as a lifter, jumper and caller, while also being a super dynamic, hard bastard athlete around the field.
He’s played at lock and as a half-lock for Ireland’s u18s and 19s in the last 18 months and the reviews from the guys I’ve spoken to have been fantastic. Never stops playing, constantly puts himself at the middle of the pod off #9 looking for work, impacts hard in defence and, as I mentioned, that top-level sharpness and athleticism in the lineout. In that Munster Senior Cup final, Foy bullied a smaller, less athletic lineout into submission.
But by far, Foy’s biggest strength for me is his athleticism and intent with the ball in hand as a ball carrier off #9 where he is genuinely powerful and impactful.
He’s getting gainline here while being met by two, sometimes three defenders. Even better, as the pressure in that game went up, Foy’s involvement kept pace when CBC’s need was most. He was turning over lineouts, mauls, impacting in defence, winning big collisions and scoring tries with defenders trailing off him. Right at the end, it was Foy driving his team on as they narrowly missed out on a massive comeback.
Inspirational. Genuinely. Watch that final back and you’ll Foy as the standout forward on the field. It’s probably the best performance I’ve seen from a forward in school this year across the Munster and Leinster Senior Cup.
The big question will remain where he settles as a pro. From a roleset perspective, I’d have him as a potential half-lock power forward right now with the potential to be a Heavy Swing Lock. Foy’s biggest strength is his work in contact as a middle-line ball carrier and tight defender with an excellent lineout. If he can top out around 6’5″/6’6″ – which is far from unrealistic – I see him getting URC minutes as soon as next season with the right conditioning. I think AIL and A rugby is the best thing for him this coming season with a nice run in the u20s. I think he’d be more than able for Division 1A and I see involvement at u20 level, albeit with an interest in whether he’ll play lock or the #6 role we saw used under Falloon this summer.
Either way, there is a proper player here be it as a designated lock or a half-lock, and I’m going to be fascinated to watch him fill out as he gets into the full S&C of the pro game. He is a name worth remembering.
