By: Gerry Patton (Newry Democrat writer and Carrickcruppen member).
Wednesday, August 24, 2005

BESSBROOK, Camlough. Armagh and the rest of sporting Ireland were shocked and stunned by the sudden death of a football icon, Peter Loughran.

Peter, who resided at Ballinabee was regarded as one of the greatest corner forwards of all time. He gave countless hours of entertainment to thousands of people with his dazzling array of talents.

I grew up with Carrickcruppen youth club and little did I know then that the stocky little lad who was few years older than me would emerge to become a very special gaelic player.

Even at U-16 level it was a thrill to watch his brilliant ball control and unerring accuracy. I can still see his famous approach to the ball as he prepared to take a free kick, a feat he rarely missed.

He could be obstinate and opinionated but it was that same single-mindedness that made him the player he was,

At one time he was the leading point scorer in Ireland and that was in an era when refereeing was far more lenient and the game more physical.

He came on the scene with the panache of a George Best blessed with great skills and fearless beyond belief.

In the late 70’s and early 80’s when he was in his prime he was sponsored with the best boots in Ireland, something which I benefitted from. I took the same size as him and he used to point to the closet and tell me to help myself.

His gruff manner always belied a kindness in him that all his close friends knew he had. I remember the time when myself and Gary Anderson were at the over 35 Ulster Championships in Maghery and were left behind and so had to stay in Dixie Robinson’s house. The next morning we rang Peter to come and collect us. I can’t repeat what he said over the phone but as usual he was there for us within the hour.

In his latter years we had great craic travelling with him to watch his son Peter progress through the ranks, winning an Ulster U-21 Championship with Armagh and then progressing to the senior team. He was also a very proud man when he watched his 16 year old son Stephen make it on to the Carrickcruppen senior team.

Most people will remember him his football achievements, all of which are well documented but I will still remember him for the slagging,the banter and the way he used to lean across the steering wheel of his jeep.

Nowadays people travel across to England to watch their footballing heroes, but we didn’t need too, we had one on our own doorstep.

The funeral procession itself was a sombre but beautiful sight as it left his home led by that famous team of 77 which included his brother Jim and cousin Peter Treanor. Flanking his coffin were all his old championship winning team-mates, followed by the current Carrickcruppen side. When the cortege arrived at Carrickcruppen chapel, they were met by Joe Kernan and the Armagh team, accompanied by all the Carrickcruppen youth teams.

His wife, Kate paid an emotional tribute to her husband and then he was taken to his final resting place with the sound of “The Boys From The County Armagh” playing in the back ground.

I was lucky and proud to be part of an era which gave us such a talent, and I was proud to call him a friend.

Thanks for the memories Peter.

May you rest in peace