Ronan Loughney

Ronan Loughney (born 1 November 1984) is a retired professional rugby union player from Ireland. He played as a prop. Having started his career playing at loosehead, Loughney moved to tighthead in the 2011–12 season, but primarily played as a loosehead again until his retirement in 2017.

Loughney last played for Irish provincial side Connacht in the Pro14. Loughney was also an international player, having played for against New Zealand in 2012.

Career Connacht Loughney has played for Connacht since 2006, having come through the province's academy. He made his debut for the side during the 2005–06 Celtic League, coming on as a replacement. Loughney made two appearances for the bench that season, with both of these also coming in the league. In the 2006–07 Celtic League, Loughney made two replacement appearances for the side, but did not start or feature in European competition. However, in November 2006, shortly after he turned 21, Loughney suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury which put him out of action for the rest of the season. He then went on to make his first competitive European appearance, coming on as a replacement against El Salvador in the 2007–08 European Challenge Cup on 16 November 2007. Loughney made a total of 15 appearances for the season, three of these coming in the Challenge Cup. He also started a total of three games in the league.

The following season Connacht again participated in the Heineken Cup thanks to Leinster, their fellow Irish side having won a second European title in a row. The addition of Nathan White to the team saw Loughney again used as a replacement in the 2012–13 Heineken Cup, and he came on from the bench in four games. Loughney did start two games in the cup however, including a win over Top 14 side Biarritz. Loughney also saw less action than in previous seasons in the 2013–14 Pro12, making 16 appearances, 11 of these from the bench.

Loughney was selected in the senior squad for the first in the summer of 2012 for the tour to New Zealand. He made his debut in the first test against the All Blacks, coming on as a replacement.