Michael Foy is just 19 years of age, but after a stellar Six Nations campaign with the Ireland U20s, the 'determined gritty warrior' is already being likened to Peter O'Mahony in his home province.
Irish rugby's development paths are some of the most respected in the world, and recent years have not only seen the Ireland U20s enjoy huge success but also develop players like Sam Prendergast, Gus McCarthy and Jack Boyle all of whom have been fast-tracked into the Ireland senior squad.
Neil Doak's men struggled to emulate that success this year, but they did unearth the extraordinary talent of Munster blindside flanker Michael Foy, who boasts all the traits of a Munster legend in waiting.
Coined as Munster’s answer to Peter O’Mahony, we spoke to former Munster out-half and current CBC Cork Elite Director of Rugby Jonny Holland about the Corkonian.
“People are just really impressed with what they’ve seen and then coaches working closely with him were just blown away,” explained Holland. “ I’ve been involved in the school for the best part of a year now and all they talk about is Foy, Foy this, Foy that, he’s a really impressive guy like.”
A 'mental warrior', Foy came of age in Ireland's round four battle with France when Ireland were against the ropes. Carefree, he wreaked merciless havoc on the French attack in every avenue, laid claim to five turnovers and embodied the stereotypical and battle-hardened attitude of old-school Munster.
“There actually is (a real grit about him) and he did that in the Senior Cup Final last year. Christians were behind Pres and they fought their way back but it was pretty much him deciding that we’ll have a crack off this team anyway."
"Chatting to him he’s a really confident fella, it doesn’t spill over into cockiness but he’s well-able, he’s really sure of himself. I don’t know him socially, but the lads would say to me there’s a borderline cockiness there, not a real cockiness but he’s really assured of himself, really confident in his ability. It’s because he’s a mental warrior, that’s why people keep saying he’s like Peter O’Mahony because that’s what they see in him"
Aside from the raw emotion he brings to games, the Christians alumnus was a statistic-collecting matching in the Six Nations, proving himself among the most effective breakdown and lineout operators in underage rugby.
Over five rounds Foy claimed four lineout steals, more than any other player in the competition. He topped the tournament for breakdown steals with 8 alongside Scotland's Freddy Douglas, and he also had more defensive breakdown arrivals than any other player.
He’s a really good line-out operator, he’s a divil in the mall but he’s a smart fella, he’s got a good mindset so there’s a lot to him people are starting to like.
He’s actually thinking his way through that as well, there’s a real steady head on him which I think when you complement both of those things you actually have a good recipe for something going into the future.
7 March 2025; Michael Foy of Ireland makes a break during the U20 Six Nations Rugby Championship match between Ireland and France at Virgin Media Park in Cork. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Munster's Michael Foy being likened to Peter O'Mahony
In his home province of Munster, Foy is already being likened to retiring legend O’Mahony with whom he shares a similar love for the nuances of rugby.
"You can’t teach that bit (the Munster grit). I don’t know do people realise Pete (O’Mahony) is a student of the game. Foy is the same, he’s a student of it, he loves the tactical element of the game, even though he comes across as a gritty determined warrior," claimed Holland.
The 19-year-old also has leadership skills in spades and according to Holland has brought that back to his school; CBC Cork, where he was charged with improving the Senior Cup team’s line-out.
While his presence is dependent on his training load, Foy didn’t shy away from a role coaching his former teammates that ended with a coveted Munster School's Senior Cup win last weekend.
He’s a leader there, he’s a massive leader that’s a huge part of it, it’s a mindset where he gets himself mentally, but where he brings people as well. You seen it in the France game, he leads through actions as well.
He was injured for a while so he came in and helped with the lineouts. The 6th years would’ve played with him last year so he’s well got within the squad and has that respect,” revealed Holland. “He’s been helping in the school with some lineouts at senior level and he coached the Junior Cup team for a bit.
25 March 2025; Seán Edogbo, left, with team-mates Dylan Hicks, centre, and Michael Foy during a Munster Rugby squad training session at the University of Limerick in Limerick. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
Should Michael Foy maintain his current trajectory, it would only be logical that he'll graduate from the Munster Academy into senior rugby and then potentially onto Ireland.
Those who know him best in Munster see no reason why Foy, who is quietly confident in his own abilities, won’t reach those heights.
"He’s one of those guys who will probably just perform at the level he’s put at, if you put him up another level he’ll perform," said Holland.
"He was injured for a while so he came in and helped with the lineouts. The 6th years would’ve played with him last year so he’s well got within the squad and has that respect.
Is he Munster’s answer to someone who might get through there and in the next couple of years start to turn some heads, you wouldn’t know, but he could well be.
For Holland, few moments summed up Foy more than when Noa Traversier spilled the ball over the line in Ireland’s U20s loss to France after celebrating the try early. Just at the edge of the camera, Foy wasn't shy in giving his French counterpart a piece of his mind, a reaction that reminded Holland of both Peter O'Mahony and James Lowe.
He’s very comfortable in himself, you seen him mouthing off at the French lads when the lad dropped the ball, Foy comes in with a bit of a niggle. There’s a bit about him, there’s a lot of personality there.
James Lowe does it and Pete is always at, it’s just confrontational.
A French U20s player celebrated before he crossed the tryline in Cork tonight.
French rugby at its purest here.pic.twitter.com/nk5NE0MRTu
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) March 7, 2025
Having appeared for Munster 'A' in this season's inter provincials against Leinster and Ulster, 19-year-old Michael Foy is one to keep an eye on in the months ahead when, all going well he'll be donning the red of Munster at senior level.
SEE ALSO: 'We Don't Sign Kiwis': Bulls Boss Rubbishes Effect Of Leinster's International Absences
