The late Tony Loughman Tony Loughman, who passed away was at one time the doyen of the country music promoters in Ireland and further afield, indeed very few acts in this particular generation could claim to be untouched by him. Tony, a prolific footballer was never known to shirk a challenge on the field of play and the same can be said in his business dealings where he met adversity head on and it must be said he usually came out on top. A tough negotiator he came from a generation where deals were sealed with a handshake and having shook on the deal a man's word was his bond. The carnivals that sprang up in every parish were his springboard to fame as he booked for most of them which gave him great clout when it came to dealing with the Dublin based syndicates who previously had called the shots but had to bend the knee when offered so many block bookings. Having got the better of them once he decided to take them on at their own game when realising he was being supped off for advertising and recording, immediately launched his own magazine 'Top Rank' which knocked the top selling Dublin magazine spotlight off its pedestal and eventually, after starting up a recording company in Castleblayney, all the artists managed by Top Rank had their own recording and publicity and printing business on their own doorstep which proves how far sighted a business man he was. By this time most of the top recording stars including, Big Tom, Philomena Begley, Susan McCann, John Glenn, Hugo Duncan, Brian Coll, Paddy Cole's Big 8 and many more were managed from Blayney. Having conquered Ireland Tony set his sights on Nashville and it wasn't long before artists such as Porter Wagnor, Dolly Parton, Charlie Pride were on first name terms and many of the local artists fulfiled a lifetime ambition when they recorded with the cream of the country music capital's musicians in the famous fireside recording studios. Tony found a way to combine his two great loves when he formed The Top Rank All Stars ladies and gents football teams which played most Monday nights and the same artists usually put on a musical performance afterwards which a local charity courtesy of 'Top Rank' benefited from. Tony's football career began in the mid 1950s, playing in the street with is contemporaries, and lining our at juvenile level for the Faughs. He won Minor Championship medals with Blayney in three consecutive years, 1958, 1959 and 1960. In 1960, he captained the victorious championship team and played at midfield for Monaghan County Minor Team in the Ulster Final against Down. He made his club senior debut in 1960 and gave 15 seasons' service to his beloved Faughs. Tony played in 13 county senior Championship medals, in 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966, 1967, 1970, 1971, 1972 and 1973. He scored a goal in his debut county final against Scotstown in 1960 and played over 50 SFC matches for Blayney during his career. Towards the end of this playing career, Tony transferred to Cremartin Shamrocks and added a Junior Championship medal in 1976, and an Intermediate title in 1977. Thus he is the only player in Monaghan GAA history to have a full collection of Senior, Intermediate and Jumior and Minor Championship medals, a total of 14 in all. During the 1960s, he was a regular member of the Monaghan Senior Team. After his playing career had ended. Tony turned to tea, management. At Club level, he served as manager of the all Blayney teams from U16 to Senior level bringing further success at all levels. He managed the Monaghan County Senior Team from 1981 to 1983 and assisted Brian McEniff with the Ulster team in the mid 1980s. He returned to intercounty management in charge of the county Minor Team which won the Ulster League in 1991. His passing will be a cause of great sadness for all who had pleasure of knowing him. To his wife, Joan, and to Declan, Caroline, Ciara and Anthony we extend oour sincerest sympathies. Courtesy of the Armagh Examiner 5 June 2007 Tweet

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