Ray McLoughlin
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.
| Birth name | Raymond John McLoughlin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | 24 August 1939 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Ballinasloe, Ireland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Garbally | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | University College Dublin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Personal history
He was born in Ahascragh, Ballinasloe, Co Galway, Ireland, and received his secondary school education at Garbally College. His father was Tadhg Mac Lochlainn, a local historian and welfare officer.
Outside rugby, McLoughlin was a successful business man, and in 1973 he was the chief executive of James Crean, an industrial holdings company. As of 2006 he was the chairman of Oakhill printing group.[2]
Rugby career
He studied at University College Dublin graduating with a Degree in Chemical Engineering and played for the university club UCD RFC.
He toured twice with the British Lions, in 1966 to Australia and New Zealand and again in 1971 to New Zealand.[3] 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.[2]
Wales international rugby player 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'.[4] While Sports columnist Bill Bridge in 2008 named him as Ireland's best open side prop of the last 40 years.[5]
Notes
- Ray McLoughlin player profile ESPN Scrum.com
- Sea Point (25 March 2006). "Ray McLoughlin – Connacht Rugby Legend". rugbynetwork.net. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
- Ray McLoughlin player profile Lionsrugby.com
- Taylor, John (28 May 2008). "Band of Brothers – Lions of '71 roar one more time". Scrum.com. Retrieved 25 October 2010.
- Bridge, Bill (13 March 2008). "Ireland's greatest XV". Yorkshire Post. Retrieved 25 October 2010.