Ray McLoughlin

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Ray McLoughlin
Birth nameRaymond John McLoughlin
Date of birth24 August 1939
Place of birthBallinasloe, Ireland
SchoolGarbally
UniversityUniversity College Dublin
Rugby union career
Position(s) Prop
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
University College Dublin
Blackrock College
Gosforth Rugby Football Club
London Irish
Barbarian F.C.		 ()
Provincial / State sides
Years Team Apps (Points)
Connacht ()
National team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
1962–1975
1966–1971		 Ireland
British Lions		 40
3		 (4)
(3)

Raymond John "Ray" McLoughlin (born 21 August 1939)[1] is a former Ireland international rugby union prop. McLoughlin had a long and successful career playing for several clubs at club level, and played for Connacht at provincial level. He was selected for two tests with the British Lions, and played for invitational tourists the Barbarians.

Early life[]

He was born in Ahascragh, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, Ireland, and received his secondary school education at Garbally College. He is one of five children of Tadhg Mac Lochlainn and Mel Kelly. He is a brother of Colm McLoughlin.

He studied at University College Dublin graduating with a Degree in Chemical Engineering and played for the university club UCD RFC.[citation needed]

Rugby career[]

He toured twice with the British Lions, in 1966 to Australia and New Zealand and again in 1971 to New Zealand.[2] Both tours saw McLoughlin injured, though in the 1966 tour he managed to play in three Tests before being forced to retire, while in 1971 he managed just five provincial games before he broke his thumb in a rough game against Canterbury.[3]

McLoughlins knowledge and scenario planning were highly valued by other good players.[4] John Taylor, who toured with McLoughlin with the British Lions in 1971, described him as 'one of the best technicians the game has ever known'.[5] While Sports columnist Bill Bridge in 2008 named him as Ireland's best open side prop of the last 40 years.[6]

Business career[]

Outside rugby, McLoughlin was a business man, and in 1973 he was the chief executive of James Crean, an industrial holdings company.[7] As of 2006 he was the chairman of Oakhill printing group.[3]

Notes[]

  1. ^ Ray McLoughlin player profile ESPN Scrum.com
  2. ^ Ray McLoughlin player profile Lionsrugby.com
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Sea Point (25 March 2006). "Ray McLoughlin – Connacht Rugby Legend". rugbynetwork.net. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  4. ^ "Carwyn remembered in S4C documentary". 29 May 2009.
  5. ^ Taylor, John (28 May 2008). "Band of Brothers – Lions of '71 roar one more time". Scrum.com. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  6. ^ Bridge, Bill (13 March 2008). "Ireland's greatest XV". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
  7. ^ "Capped rugby player who scored in business".

External links[]

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