It is with deep regret that we learn of the passing of Ray McLoughlin. 

Ray was a former student of Garbally College, starting out in first year in 1952. He was the Leaving Cert class of 1958 and achieved an outstanding Leaving Cert. He progressed on to UCD where he studied Chemical Engineering. 

His illustrious rugby career started out in Garbally where he played at No.8. His club rugby was played with Ballinasloe RFC and he tasted success in 1958, captaining the Junior team to win a Connacht Cup. He then went on to play for UCD, Gosforth and Blackrock College and of course, his beloved Connacht.  

He received his Ireland call-up in 1962 and became Irish captain in 1965. He captained the Irish side on 8 occasions and he earned 40 caps for his country whilst also completing 2 Tours with the Lions, 1966 & 1971. He was a member of the 1973 Barbarians side who met the All Blacks in Arms Park, Cardiff and would have won more Test caps but for sustaining a broken thumb in what was remembered as a “fiercely contested match” 

He was always proud to be called a ‘Garbally Man’ and indeed we here in Garbally are very proud of him and the success he attained both in sport and in business. 

Ray is predeceased by his wife Geraldine and he will be sadly missed by his children Lynne, Karen, Jennifer and John.