Michael Loftus (9 August 1929 – 22 April 2023) was an Irish Gaelic footballer, referee and Gaelic games administrator. His league and championship career at senior level with the Mayo county team lasted four seasons from 1949 until 1953.[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Irish name | Mícheál Ó Lochláin | ||
| Sport | Gaelic football | ||
| Position | Left corner-forward | ||
| Born |
9 August 1929 Kiltoom, County Roscommon, Ireland | ||
| Died | 22 April 2023 (aged 93) | ||
| Occupation | Medical doctor | ||
| Club(s) | |||
| Years | Club | ||
| Crossmolina | |||
| Club titles | |||
| Mayo titles | 1 | ||
| Colleges(s) | |||
| Years | College | ||
| University College Galway | |||
| College titles | |||
| Sigerson titles | 2 | ||
| Inter-county(ies)* | |||
| Years | County | Apps (scores) | |
1949–1953 | Mayo | 1 (0-01) | |
| Inter-county titles | |||
| Connacht titles | 0 | ||
| All-Irelands | 1 | ||
| NFL | 0 | ||
| *Inter County team apps and scores correct as of 21:57, 7 February 2018. | |||
Early life
editLoftus first played competitive Gaelic football with St Muredach's College in Ballina. Loftus simultaneously came to prominence with the Crossmolina club at underage levels, before later winning a county senior championship medal with the senior team in 1949. He studied at University College Galway, where he played for the university football team and won three[clarification needed] Sigerson Cup medals.[2]
Loftus made his debut on the inter-county scene at the age of seventeen when he was selected for the Mayo minor team. He enjoyed one championship season with the minor team, however, he ended the year as an All-Ireland runner-up. Loftus subsequently joined the Mayo junior team, winning All-Ireland medals in 1950 and in 1957 as captain. By this stage he had also joined the Mayo senior team, making his debut during the 1949-50 league. Over the course of the next four years, Loftus played on a number of occasions and won an All-Ireland medal as a non-playing substitute in 1951.[3]
GAA administrator
editIn retirement from playing, Loftus became a referee at club and county level. He took charge of the All-Ireland finals in 1965 and 1968.[4]
Loftus also served in an administrative capacity with the Gaelic Athletic Association. He was chairman of the Connacht Council and the Centenary Committee before serving as president of the GAA from 1985 until 1988.[5]
Loftus was conferred with a Legum Doctor (honoris causa) by NUI Galway on 20 February 2015.[6]
Death
editLoftus died on 22 April 2023, at the age of 93.[7]
Honours
edit- University College Galway
- Sigerson Cup (2): 1949, 1951[clarification needed]
- Crossmolina
- Mayo Senior Football Championship (1): 1949
- Mayo
References
edit- ^ "The Great Mick Loftus". Hogan Stand. 19 September 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2018.
- ^ "Mick Loftus". 23 May 2012. Archived from the original on 23 December 2018.
06:20 Being in UCG and winning Sigerson Cup medals.
- ^ "Presidents of the GAA: Mick Loftus". Larnapairce.ie. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "History shows Dr Mick has always been ahead of the curve". Westernpeople.ie. 11 May 2020. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "Mick Loftus". Gaa.ie. Retrieved 3 November 2021.
- ^ "Honorary Conferrings". Cois Coiribe. Winter 2015. p. 49.
- ^ "Former GAA president Dr Mick Loftus dies, aged 93". The Irish Times. Retrieved 22 April 2023.
 | This Mayo Gaelic football biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |