Ray McLoughlin

 ( 1939 Births ) 

Raymond John McLoughlin (21 August 1939 – 20 November 2021) Ray McLoughlin player profile ESPN Scrum.com was an Irish rugby union international who was capped 40 times at prop, an Irish record at the time. He began at tight head, moving to the open side on his return to the Ireland team in 1971 after a five-year absence. 'The versatile front-rowers' espn.co.uk accessed 22 November 2021 McLoughlin captained his country on seven occasions. He was selected for two test series with the British Lions and played for invitational tourists the Barbarians. McLoughlin also had a long career at club and provincial level, representing Connacht Rugby. After his death he was credited with developing the eight-man scrum.Peter Jackson, 'Thinking prop Ray believed persistence trumped all'. The Rugby Paper, 28 November 2021. Retrieved 25 March 2025

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

McLoughlin played for Ballinasloe, Athlone and Blackrock and studied at University College Dublin, graduating with a degree in chemical engineering and playing for the university club; later he represented Gosforth, Northumberland and the British Universities.

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Rugby career He toured twice with the British Lions, in 1966 to Australia and New Zealand and again in 1971 to New Zealand. Ray McLoughlin player profile Lionsrugby.com Both tours saw McLoughlin injured, though in the 1966 tour he managed to play in three Tests before being forced to retire. However, in 1971 he managed just five provincial games before he broke his thumb in a very violent game against Canterbury.

McLoughlin's knowledge and scenario planning were highly valued by other good players. 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". Sports columnist Bill Bridge in 2008 named him as Ireland's best open-side prop of the previous 40 years.

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Business career Outside rugby, McLoughlin was a business man. 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.

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Death

He died on 20 November 2021, aged 82.

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External links

• The Artful Delicacies of a Loose Head Prop
• London Irish profile

Categories: 1939 Births, 2021 Deaths, Blackrock College Rfc Players, British & Irish Lions Rugby Union Players From Ireland, Connacht Rugby Players, Irish Rugby Union Players, Ireland International Rugby Union Players, Ireland National Rugby Union Team Captains, London Irish Players, Sportspeople From Ballinasloe, Rugby Union Props, University College Dublin R.f.c. Players, Barbarian F.c. Players, Rugby Union Players From County Galway, People Educated At Garbally College, Newcastle Falcons Players

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