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Fergus Slattery Dies at 77

His passing closes the career of a defining Irish openside who starred on the Lions' 1971 tour to New Zealand as well as the unbeaten 1974 tour to South Africa.

Overview

  • Blackrock College RFC announced Slattery's death on Thursday and described him as one of the club's greatest sons; the club statement said it 'bows its head in gratitude, pride, and sorrow.'
  • Slattery won 61 caps for Ireland and captained the national side 18 times during a career that ran from 1970 to 1984.
  • He was a central figure on two landmark British & Irish Lions tours, touring New Zealand in 1971 and starting all four Tests on the Lions' unbeaten 1974 tour to South Africa.
  • Slattery played 18 times for the Barbarians, scoring a memorable try in the famous 1973 match against the All Blacks, and he was inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame in 2007.
  • His family spoke publicly in 2023 about his struggle with dementia, and tributes from the IRFU, former teammates, and clubs have highlighted his leadership, humility, and lasting influence on Irish rugby.