Fergus Slattery, RIP

It is with tremendous sadness and grief that Blackrock College RFC shares the news of the passing of Fergus Slattery.

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.

Educated at Blackrock College, Fergus played on the famous 1966 Senior Cup team before joining Blackrock College RFC as a 17-year-old. From those earliest days, he carried the spirit of Rock with him onto every field he ever stepped upon. From Stradbrook to the grandest stages of international rugby, he embodied the very best traditions of Blackrock College RFC - courage, intelligence, humility, and absolute commitment to the team beside him.

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.

Yet statistics and honours alone can never truly capture Fergus Slattery.

To those who watched him play, he represented rugby at its purest. An openside flanker of extraordinary intelligence, courage, and relentless competitiveness, he always seemed to arrive first where the contest was fiercest. He played with ferocity and grace, but without ego or theatre. Modest in demeanour, yet monumental in achievement, Fergus never sought admiration, but earned it universally from teammates, opponents, supporters, and generations of young rugby players who dreamed of following in his footsteps.

Remarkably, throughout his glittering international career, Fergus always remained a devoted Clubman. It was not unusual for Slatts to turn out for Blackrock on a Sunday after playing an international at Twickenham or Cardiff the day before, often having fully embraced the post-match celebrations. He continued to play with lower club teams into the late 1980s, even winning a Fox Cup/7th Division medal, and later he became a regular participant in weekly tag rugby at the club.

His love of sport extended beyond rugby. Fergus established a hockey section within the club, drawing on his many sporting friendships to bring former international and top-level players into the Blackrock Vets setup.

Off the field, Fergus made an enormous contribution to the life and fortunes of Blackrock College RFC. He became the central figure in fundraising for the club over many decades. His charm, wit, and skill as an auctioneer at club lunches and gala dinners were unmatched, helping raise vital funds for the sole benefit of the club he loved so deeply. Through his warmth and personality, Fergus created immeasurable goodwill for Blackrock College RFC throughout Ireland and beyond.

Even after retirement, his commitment to amateur rugby never wavered. While working for BBC Radio, Fergus famously insisted that payment for his services be made directly to Blackrock College RFC. He passionately believed in the values and spirit of the amateur game and campaigned tirelessly to preserve them.

Fergus was also an accomplished businessman in commercial property and a generous supporter of many people along the way. Though invited on numerous occasions, he declined administrative honours and leadership titles within the club, preferring instead to contribute in the way he knew best - through action, generosity, loyalty, and presence.

For Blackrock College RFC, Fergus was more than an international legend. He was proof of what this club and school aspire to produce. Fearless and fiercely competitive, yet grounded always in camaraderie and respect, he embodied the values of Rock in everything he did.

Today, we mourn his passing, but we also celebrate an extraordinary life lived with distinction, integrity, humour, and pride.

The blue and white jersey will forever carry his imprint.

The clubhouse conversations will forever echo with stories of his brilliance, courage, and generosity.

And every young player who pulls on the Blackrock jersey will continue to draw inspiration from the standard Fergus Slattery set for all who followed.

Many words in life are overused, among them the word “legend.”

Fergus Slattery was not simply a legend. He was a legend of legends.

Fergus was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. To his beloved wife Margo, daughter Nikki, son Cameron and his grandchildren, we extend our deepest sympathies from the entire Blackrock College RFC community. We are very grateful to have shared him with you and he will always be remembered with love and admiration by generations to come.

Fergus, thank you for everything you gave to this club, to Irish rugby, and to all of us.

May he rest in peace.

The below article was written by Brian McLoughlin for the 1989/1990 Souvenir Programme "25 Tears Playing at Stradbrook".

2 April 1983; Fergus Slattery of Blackrock College during the Leinster Senior Cup Second Round match between Blackrock College and Wanderers at Stradbrook in Blackrock, Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile