Harry McLoughlin

Who is Harry McLoughlin?

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 on the 9th of October 1977 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.