In 2000 he lined out in his first championship decider when he came on as a substitute. Doon provided the opposition, however, a narrow 0-16 to 0-15 victory gave Foley his first championship medal.
By this stage Foley had joined the Limerick senior hurling team. He made his senior championship debut as a substitute in an All-Ireland quarter-final defeat by Wexford in 2001.
Limerick retained the provincial title again in 2002 with Foley winning his second Munster medal following a 1-20 to 2-14 defeat of Tipperary. A subsequent 3-17 to 0-8 trouncing of Galway gave Foley a second consecutive All-Ireland medal.
Foley was a regular in the National League and championship over the next few seasons, however, Limerick hurling went onto decline and he played no part in the 2004 and 2005 campaigns.
In 2006 Foley returned to the Limerick panel. He was an unused substitute the following year as Limerick faced a 2-19 to 1-15 defeat by Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final.
Foley played his last game for Limerick in a 0-25 to 0-17 Munster semi-final defeat by Waterford in 2009.