The President, Committe and staff of the Irish Rugby Football Union were saddened to hear of the death of Colum Callan – a member of the 1948 Grand Slam team. Colum passed away earlier this week after a long illness.
Colum Callan, a member of Ireland’s historic 1948 Grand Slam-winning team, died peacefully on Sunday, May 30 at Beechtree Nursing Home following a long illness.
Originally from County Louth, Callan played club rugby in the second row for Lansdowne.
He won the first of his ten Ireland caps on January 25, 1947, at Lansdowne Road. Callan was one of fourteen new caps in that game, including his future Grand Slam team-mate Jack Kyle.
Ireland lost 12-8 to France, but beat England and Scotland before losing a Triple Crown clash with Wales in Swansea.
Callan played in all four games during the Five Nations Championship before being omitted for the Test against Australia on December 6, 1947.
He was back in the team for the opening match the following season, a victory over France at the Stade Colombes on New Year’s Day, 1948.
Ireland went on to beat England, Scotland and finally Wales in Ravenhill to win a Grand Slam – a feat not matched until Brian O’Driscoll captained Ireland to a glorious Championship win last year.
Callan’s last cap was against England at Lansdowne Road which Ireland won.
The President, Committee and staff of the IRFU offer their condolences to his wife, Margaret, and children Richard, David, Frank, Paul, Mary and Anne.
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