Mick Loftus

Dr Michael "Mick" Loftus (born 9 August 1929) is an Irish former Gaelic footballer, referee and Gaelic games administrator. His league and championship career with the Mayo senior team lasted four seasons from 1949 until 1953.[1]

Born in Kilttom, County Roscommon, Loftus was four years old when his family moved to Crossmolina, County Mayo. He first played competitive Gaelic football with St Muredach's College in Ballina. Loftus simultaneously came to prominence with the Crossmolina club at underage levels, before later winning a county senior championship medal with the senior team in 1949. He studied at University College Galway, where he played for the university football team and won three Sigerson Cup medals.[2]

Loftus made his debut on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he was selected for the Mayo minor team. He enjoyed one championship season with the minor team, however, he ended the year as an All-Ireland runner-up. Loftus subsequently joined the Mayo junior team, winning All-Ireland medals in 1950 and in 1957 as captain. By this stage he had also joined the Mayo senior team, making his debut during the 1949-50 league. Over the course of the next four years, Loftus played on a number of occasions and won an All-Ireland medal as a non-playing substitute in 1951.

In retirement from playing, Loftus became a referee at club and county level. He took charge of the All-Ireland finals in 1965 and 1968.

Loftus also served in an administrative capacity with the Gaelic Athletic Association. He was chairman of the Connacht Council and the Centenary Committee before serving as President of the GAA from 1985 until 1988.

He was conferred with a Legum Doctor (honoris causa) by NUI Galway on 20 February 2015.[3]