Young Munster hooker Ger Slattery calls time on distinguished career

YOUNG Munster hooker Ger Slattery called time on his 11-year Ulster Bank League career following their final round fixture with UCD at Belfield on Saturday.

Thirty year-old Slattery has decided to hang up his playing boots after making more than 300 appearances for Young Munster’s at club level as well as lining out four times for Munster in the Pro12.

Slattery captained St Munchin’s College to Munster Schools Senior Cup success in 2006, a side that included Keith Earls at outside centre. It was a second Munster Schools Senior Cup medal for the hooker.

A year later, the dynamic hooker was a member of the Ireland U-20 squad which claimed the 6 Nations Grand Slam by beating Italy 36-25 at the Stadio Santa Colomba, Benevento. That star-studded Ireland squad also included the likes of Ian Keatley, Earls, Cian Healy, Felix Jones and Darren Cave.

Many a time spent in the row together. Always a pleasure. Congrats sla. Some man for the drop goal too.

— Alan Cotter (@i_is_barney) April 13, 2018

Slattery made his full Munster debut in the PRO12 in December 2013 against Connacht at Thomond Park. He went on to make three more appearances for the province in the competition in February, 2014 bagging a brace of tries against Zebre at Musgrave Park.

Limerick man Slattery also starred for the Barbarians in their spectacular fixture with then All-Ireland League champions Clontarf at Castle Avenue in April 2014.

The glamour fixture which ended in a 43-42 win for ‘Tarf was part of the Battle of Clontarf 1,000th anniversary celebrations.

Ger Slattery was one of five Ireland club players who played for the Baa-Baas, with their squad also including five full internationals.

He also gained representative honours as an Ireland Club international.

Slattery was head coach of the St Munchin’s College Junior Cup side which brought the Munster Schools Junior Cup title back to the Corbally nursery after a 20-year break earlier this year.

Sixth-placed Munsters came into Saturday’s final round of Division 1A regular season fixtures with a slim chance of making the play-offs, and a three-try salvo, from wingers Conor Hayes (2) and Craig O’Hanlon, gave them a 19-7 advantage over the students at the break.

However, Slattery and his team-mates needed other results to go their way, and their Limerick rivals Garryowen, held onto fourth spot, in the table after defeating St Mary’s College at Dooradoyle

Inside centre Evan O’Gorman’s well-taken score for a 26-7 Munsters lead proved to be their final try of the afternoon, as resilient UCD rattled off four tries in response to secure a 31-29 win.