Background
He was born in Ahascragh, Ballinasloe, Company Galway, Ireland, and received his secondary school education at Garbally College.
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Ray McLoughlin
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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. 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. He studied at University College Dublin graduating with a Degree in Chemical Engineering and played for the university club University College Dublin Reconstruction Finance Corporation. He toured twice with the British Lions, in 1966 to Australia and New Zealand and again in 1971 to New Zealand.
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. 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".
While Sports columnist Bill Bridge in 2008 named him as Ireland"s best open side prop of the last 40 years.
