An Charraig Mhór GFC are deeply saddened by the recent death of past player, devoted clubman and loyal supporter Peter Loughran, Rockstown and later of Castleknock, Dublin.

Peter was a member of the much lauded 1966 Senior Championship winning panel. He had the distinction of being part of a very special group, regarded by many as one of the best ever to represent the club. However, Peter’s contribution to the club in that era stretched well beyond the field of play.

He was instrumental in the organisation of several fundraising carnivals in the club. These were a popular source of entertainment for the local community in the 60’s whilst at the same time providing an opportunity for the club to raise much needed revenue. Such events required the erection of a marque and on three notable occasions they were sited in Seamus Campbell’s garden (the site of the Campbell and Mc Aleer’s homes on the Creggan Road), Dalys Yard and Colm Gallaghers garden (site of Gallaghers shop).

Peter had the ear of showband manager Charlie Mc Brien who promoted the Knock Na Moe Hotel and Patrician Hall venues the latter a mecca for dance goers in this era. He was able to persuade Charlie to bring the best bands to these carnivals. This would attract the dancers in their droves making all these events a huge success.

We must remember the significance of fund raising at that time as the club had just purchased the property at the ‘’foot of the rock’ which we now call Pairc Colmcille. At that time, it was an adventurous and forward thinking decision requiring men of action, of which Peter was one.

Here too Peter quite literally made his mark with himself and lifelong friend Seamus Mc Cartan building the first bridge to provide access to the park. The structure has stood the test of time and close examination reveals its steel reinforcement in the form of the chassis of Joe Fox’s old lorry which was retrieved from a scrap yard at the garage of club stalwart Jim Mc Elduff. The bridge was completed by the two on the 17th of April 1968 with the two young builders marking the occasion by inscribing their names in concrete underneath.

The two men also built the first changing rooms along the river bank. Built with 6 inch blocks they have since made way for more modern facilities but served their purpose well for many years and provided welcome shelter for players in an era when many grounds had no changing rooms.

Despite moving away from his native parish in the mid-sixties Peters thoughts never strayed far from his native Tyrone and perhaps more particularly his home parish of Carrickmore. On his many visits to the parish he would renew acquaintances’ with his large group of family and friends. He made the effort to céilí with them to recall old times and catch up with more recent events in their lives.

In more recent years a vibrant group of Carrickmore natives established a home away from home in Florida where talk was never far away from the current fortunes of Tyrone and Carrickmore football. Over the years his ‘get-it-done’ attitude had not diminished and many of his close friends in the U.S. holiday retreat will recall his willingness to tackle renovation jobs in the close knit holiday community.

The club would like to pass on our deepest sympathy to Peters wife Bridie (nee Mullan, Cappagh), his children Petrina, Niamh, Fiona, Bronagh and mother in law Annie Mullan, Cappagh aged 104.

We also keep in our thoughts his brother Pat a loyal supporter and benefactor of our club, Julie Ann Grimes, daughter of Pat and our current U16 girls coach, his sisters Anna (McGlennan) RIP Benburb, Jean (McGeary) Carland, Kathleen (Greene) St Albans, Angela (Toner) Belfast and Gabriel (Bogue) RIP Moy, sons-in-law Joey, Conor and Shane, grandchildren Zoe, Emma, Alex, Jamie, Louis, Katie, Leah and Claudia, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, cousins, nephews, nieces, relatives and his many friends.

Peters connection to the club will live on with many younger members of his extended family representing the club on the field of play.

Thanks to the following for providing the information for this tribute; Pat Loughran, Seamus Mc Cartan, Christina Mc Elduff, Frank Mc Elroy, Maire Quinn.

Go raibh suaimhneas síoraí ar a anam. May his soul rest in peace.

Gavan Mc Elroy, on behalf of An Charraig Mhór GFC

Pictures colour pic – Peter 4th from left in back row, Centre in the group of three, old changing rooms which he built with Seamus Mc Cartan.