Born in Galway and reared in Renmore and Salthill, a trial with the Connacht Youths led to him playing for the province’s under-19s and under-21s, while playing with UL Bohemians when studying in UL for two-and-a-half years, then rejoining Galwegians in Division One of the AIL. He played for the Irish Under-20s in the 2005 World Cup, he was offered a development contract with Connacht, however, he suffered successive cruciate ligament tears at the start of the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.
After switching from tighthead to loosehead in the 2011-12 season was a high point. Loughney started 18 of 25 games for Connacht and won his sole cap against the All Blacks in Eden Park.
Loughney has played for Connacht since 2006 and has become a household name in Connacht rugby. He was selected in the Ireland squad in the summer of 2012 for the tour against New Zealand. He played in the first test, coming on as a replacement.
After 15 years with his home province and 191 caps, Loughney retired at the end of the 2016/17 season.
Loughney won a Medal for Excellence at the 2017 Rugby Players Ireland Awards in May 2017.
(DH 8/17)
Career
 |
Connacht Rugby Loosehead Prop |
2005 - 2017 |
