Harry McLoughlin
Encyclopedia
Harry McLoughlin is a former Irish footballer.
A local who grew up in the area of Sligo Town which gave Rovers its heart in the early years, Forthill. Harry played his early football with the now defunct Boys Club, which was based behind the old Cavendish's shop on O'Connell Street. He was an old fashioned winger who loved nothing better than to get on the ball, take on the defence and get his crosses in. He also had a good eye for a goalscoring chance. Harry joined Sligo Rovers
in the 1977/78 season as a replacement for another local hero, Paul McGee
.
He made his League of Ireland
debut for the club away to Shamrock Rovers
at Glenmalure Park
and on his home debut he made an instant impact tormenting the Galway Rovers defence at the Showground. He went on to make 315 appearances for Sligo Rovers and scored just short of fifty goals for the club, not bad for a winger. He tormented many more defences after this. Harry Mc Loughlin would have made the top 100 easily but the little winger had to do it in style. Harry produced what is arguably the greatest single moment in the history of the club.
It was Easter Sunday at a rain drenched Dalymount Park
. Against all odds Sligo Rovers had hauled themselves back into the FAI Cup Final
with a goal from Tony Stenson. With barely fifteen minutes to go Graham Fox broke up a Bohs attack and his sliding tackle saw the ball fall to Tony Stenson. He moved the ball along the front of Rovers penalty area to Martin Mc Donnell who sent a brilliant pass down the left wing to Mc Loughlin. He raced onto the ball and took on the Bohs full back Dave Connell
. He jinked inside and sent a beautifully judged chip over the head of Dermot O'Neill
and into the far corner. As the RTE commentator of the time said - "It was a goal worthy of winning any Cup final". It was the goal that would bring the Cup to Sligo for the first time after five Cup final defeats .
He finished off his career with brief spells with Finn Harps
and Longford Town
. When Sligo Rovers fans sit down to pick their greatest team of all time the name of Harry Mc Loughlin always fills the right wing position.
He was joint top scorer in the 1985/86 First Division http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/iertops.html.
His nephew Keith made one appearance in the Irish News Cup
in 1996/97.
A local who grew up in the area of Sligo Town which gave Rovers its heart in the early years, Forthill. Harry played his early football with the now defunct Boys Club, which was based behind the old Cavendish's shop on O'Connell Street. He was an old fashioned winger who loved nothing better than to get on the ball, take on the defence and get his crosses in. He also had a good eye for a goalscoring chance. Harry joined Sligo Rovers
Sligo Rovers F.C.
Sligo Rovers Football Club is a professional Irish football club playing in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1928 and have been in the League of Ireland since 1934. The club is a co-operative venture, owned by the people of Sligo. Sligo Rovers have played at...
in the 1977/78 season as a replacement for another local hero, Paul McGee
Paul McGee (footballer born 1954)
Paul 'Skee' McGee is a former Irish football player and current manager of League of Ireland First Division club Salthill Devon....
.
He made his League of Ireland
League of Ireland
The League of Ireland is the national association football league of the Republic of Ireland. Founded in 1921, as a league of eight clubs, it has expanded over time into a two-tiered league of 22 clubs. It is currently split into the League of Ireland Premier Division and the League of Ireland...
debut for the club away to Shamrock Rovers
Shamrock Rovers F.C.
Shamrock Rovers Football Club are a professional football club from Dublin, Ireland. They compete in the Premier Division of the League of Ireland and are the most successful club in Irish football history. The club have won the League of Ireland title a record 17 times and the FAI Cup a record 24...
at Glenmalure Park
Glenmalure Park
Glenmalure Park, often simply known as "Milltown", was a football stadium on the Southside of Dublin city in Ireland. Located in the suburb of Milltown, it was home to Shamrock Rovers from 1926 to 1987, when it was sold to property developers by the club's directors...
and on his home debut he made an instant impact tormenting the Galway Rovers defence at the Showground. He went on to make 315 appearances for Sligo Rovers and scored just short of fifty goals for the club, not bad for a winger. He tormented many more defences after this. Harry Mc Loughlin would have made the top 100 easily but the little winger had to do it in style. Harry produced what is arguably the greatest single moment in the history of the club.
It was Easter Sunday at a rain drenched Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park
Dalymount Park is an Irish football stadium situated on Dublin's Northside. It is the home of Bohemian F.C., who have played there since the early 20th century. Affectionately known as 'Dalyer' by fans, it was also historically the "home of Irish football" holding Irish internationals and FAI Cup...
. Against all odds Sligo Rovers had hauled themselves back into the FAI Cup Final
FAI Cup Final
The FAI Cup Final, known recently as the FAI Ford Cup Final for sponsorship reasons, is an annual soccer match which is the last game in the Football Association of Ireland Challenge Cup...
with a goal from Tony Stenson. With barely fifteen minutes to go Graham Fox broke up a Bohs attack and his sliding tackle saw the ball fall to Tony Stenson. He moved the ball along the front of Rovers penalty area to Martin Mc Donnell who sent a brilliant pass down the left wing to Mc Loughlin. He raced onto the ball and took on the Bohs full back Dave Connell
Dave Connell
Dave Connell was an Irish soccer player during the 1970s and 1980s. He is currently the Head Coach of the U19 Republic of Ireland women's national football team and works as a Football In Community Development Officer for the Football Association of Ireland .A classy right back, Connell played for...
. He jinked inside and sent a beautifully judged chip over the head of Dermot O'Neill
Dermot O'Neill (footballer)
Dermot "Monkey" O'Neill was a football goalkeeper who played in the League of Ireland during the 1980s and 1990s....
and into the far corner. As the RTE commentator of the time said - "It was a goal worthy of winning any Cup final". It was the goal that would bring the Cup to Sligo for the first time after five Cup final defeats .
He finished off his career with brief spells with Finn Harps
Finn Harps F.C.
Finn Harps Football Club are a professional Irish football club playing in the First Division of the League of Ireland. The club was founded in 1954 and elected to the league in 1969. They hail from Ballybofey, County Donegal and play their home matches at Finn Park. The club's colours are blue...
and Longford Town
Longford Town F.C.
Longford Town F.C. is an Irish football club playing in the League of Ireland First Division. The club, founded in 1924 and elected to the league in 1984, hails from Longford, County Longford and play their home matches at Flancare Park...
. When Sligo Rovers fans sit down to pick their greatest team of all time the name of Harry Mc Loughlin always fills the right wing position.
He was joint top scorer in the 1985/86 First Division http://www.rsssf.com/tablesi/iertops.html.
His nephew Keith made one appearance in the Irish News Cup
Irish News Cup
The Irish News Cup was a "north-south" association football competition in Ireland involving teams from the Irish League and League of Ireland mostly located in the north-west of the island. It was sponsored by the Irish News and also referred to as the Irish News North West Cup...
in 1996/97.