The great Ireland and British and Irish Lions flanker Fergus Slattery has died at the age of 77.
Capped 61 times for his country, Slattery is widely-regarded as one of the greatest players Ireland have ever produced and captained the nation on 18 occasions.
He was a key figure on the unbeaten Lions tour to South Africa in 1974, starting all four Tests as part of a fearsome back row alongside England’s Roger Uttley and Mervyn Davies of Wales.
The news of his passing was shared by Blackrock College RFC, where he spent the majority of his club career.
“It is with tremendous sadness and grief that Blackrock College RFC shares the news of the passing of Fergus Slattery,” the Dublin club said.
“Blackrock College RFC bows its head in gratitude, pride, and sorrow as we remember one of our greatest sons. There are players who wear a jersey, and there are players who define it. Fergus defined ours.
“His achievements in rugby are woven into the fabric of Irish sporting history. Fergus won 61 caps for Ireland, captaining his country on numerous occasions and becoming one of the defining Irish players of his generation. He was central to the Irish teams that secured Triple Crown victories in 1982 and 1985, alongside fellow Lions Willie Duggan and John O’Driscoll, forming one of the finest back rows Irish rugby has ever produced.
“A Lion of Lions, Fergus played a pivotal role in the immortal British & Irish Lions tours of New Zealand in 1971 and South Africa in 1974, the latter remaining one of the greatest achievements in rugby history. He also played 18 times for the Barbarians, including the legendary 1973 match against the All Blacks in Cardiff. A game forever etched into rugby folklore as he scored a memorable try in one of the greatest rugby matches ever played.”
Born in Dun Laoghaire, a coastal suburb south of Dublin, Slattery was educated at Blackrock College and returned to the senior set-up at the school’s associated club after a brief spell at University College Dublin.
He made his international debut in 1970 and toured New Zealand with the Lions a year later, missing out on a Test cap only due to illness.
The openside flanker was a key cog three years later, though, helping the tourists win 21 of 22 matches in South Africa under the leadership of Willie John McBride – with only a controversial draw in the final match in Johannesburg denying them the Lions a clean sweep.
“Everyone at Irish Rugby is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Ireland captain Fergus Slattery,” Irish Rugby said in a statement on social media. “Our thoughts are with Fergus' family, friends and former team-mates at this sad time.”
Slattery, who was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2007, is survived by wife Margo and children Nikki and Cameron.
