The Late Martin Loughnane There was widespread shock when the people of Roscrea, and the people of the Tipperary sporting world in particular, learned of the death of an all time great, Mr. Martin Loughnane of Grove Street, Roscrea. Martin who enjoyed a hurling career that was spread over four decades was an enormously respected individual whose name is well and truly captivated forever in the history of Roscrea GAA. His great career began in the "Street Leagues" of the late 1920's early 1930's. where Martin quickly and formidable hurler. Such was his style, it wasn't long before he caught the eye of the Tipperary Minor Selectors and in 1934 he won his second All-Ireland Minor title when Tipperary beat Laois on a scoreline of 4-3 to 3-3 in a game that many still fondly recall as Martin Loughnane's All-Ireland, such was his epic display on the day. In 1936 Martin started in Goal for the Roscrea Senior Hurling Team and won his first and Roscrea's first North Tipperary Senior Hurling Championship Medal. Unfortunately Roscrea lost the County Final to Sarsfields, but it was the beginning of a fantastic sporting career for Martin with Roscrea in which he won nine North Final's the others coming in 1937, 39, 41,45,49,54 and 1967. By 1945 the Tipp selectors finally began to recognise the enormous talent of Martin Loughnane. In that same year he made the Tipperary panel, and played as a substitute in the All-Ireland Semi Final victory over Antrim. While he was not called upon for the final, he did have the satisfaction of watching his team mates overcome archrivals Kilkenny to add a Senior Hurling Medal to his glittering array of accolades to date. Throughout the 1950's, Martin continued to be a household name in Tipperary, and many were baffled as to his continuous exclusion from the Tipperary Senior Hurling Team. In 1962 Martin retired from Senior Hurling and began to star in the inter factory matches which received massive support around the country throughout the sixties and seventies in particular. Martin represented the Bacon Factory became All-Ireland Inter Factory Champions in 1972. Between 1962 and 1972 however, Martin was to come out of retirement for one more year to represent Roscrea, and have one more crack at winning the Tipperary County Final had eluded him so far in his sporting career. Despite beating Toomevara in the North Final, Roscrea failed once again at the final hurdle and lost to Carrick Davins. In his last senior appearance for Roscrea, Martin started the match in between the sticks, the same position he took when he first appeared for the red and white army over thirty years previous. Although retired, as a player there was perhaps a deep sense of irony when a year later, the 13th October 1968, Roscrea made history, to win the club's first ever county final. While its was perhaps a great pity that Martin's name was not on the team sheet, the history books have been kind, having recorded the significant contributions of John Joe Maher and Martin Loughnane as been instrumental, in the eventual success of Roscrea finally lifting the Dan Breen Cup on that great day. For a remainder of his years Martin remained heavily involved in hurling. He trained a number of Roscrea teams, but achieved his most noticeable success in Offaly, guiding Coolderry to County Final success in 1979 & 1980, and helping Kinnitty reach the pinnacle of Offaly hurling, with County Final success in 1984 & 1985. Outside of hurling, Martin had a great love of greyhounds. Such was his success in the fields and on the tracks, he is as well known in Greyhound circles as he is in the GAA world. His success with a bitch called "Lady Rowley" who was unbeaten over eight races will never be forgotten by racing enthusiasts, and his respect in the Greyhound world has travelled long and far. A great family man, friend and neighbour, Martin is predeceased by his wife Elizabeth, and he is survived by his sons, Michael, Barney, Martin and Liam, daughters Nuala, Geraldine, Margo and Therese, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces, and many many friends. Martins funeral mass took place at St Cronan's Church, Roscrea on Monday Morning last, and he was laid to his eternal rest, immediately afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. He will be sadly missed. May he rest in peace. Courtesy of the Tipperary Star 1st November 2003 Tweet

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