The death took place earlier on today of legendary Mayo GAA figure, Dr Mick Loftus. The Crossmolina man was the last surviving member of the Mayo Senior panel from 1951, when the county most recently tasted All-Ireland success. He was 93 years of age.
Born in what was still the Irish Free State in August 1929, Dr Mick Loftus had a varied and prominent sporting and professional career. He played Minor, Junior and Senior for Mayo, appearing in the All-Ireland Minor final of 1947 and winning Junior All-Irelands with the county in 1950 and again in 1957, as well as being togged on the day we won our third Senior All-Ireland in 1951.
He also won two Sigerson medals while studying medicine at UCG. In addition, he was a member of the Crossmolina team that won the Mayo SFC in 1949.
As well as playing, Dr Mick was a notable referee and he officiated at the 1965 and 1968 All-Ireland football finals. He then moved into administrative roles within the association, serving as Connacht Council Chair and also Chair of the Centenary Committee.
When Centenary year came around in 1984, he was elected at that year’s Congress as the 28th President of the GAA, taking office in 1985 and serving until 1988. He remains the only Mayo person to serve as GAA President.
In his professional life, he had an equally distinguished career. He ran a medical practice in North Mayo and also served as coroner for the area for many years.
In paying tribute to him today, his granddaughter Rosanna described Dr Mick as a revered figure and that seems a very fitting adjective for someone who excelled in everything he did, while at the same time remaining rooted in his community. That generation were truly remarkable people, whose selfless hard work and dedication did much to lay the foundations for the Ireland of today. Dr Mick Loftus was one of the very best of that cohort.
Condolences to Dr Mick’s family, including his grandnephew, current Senior player Conor, as well as all his relations and many friends. May this esteemed son of Mayo rest in peace.
Rip Dr Mickie. A lovely man. I remember attending him after getting a kick in the gob during a schools game in the early 70s. A gentleman.
I might be wrong WJ but I think Conor is his grandnephew. Think Kevin was his Conor’s granddad.
A lovely man by all accounts R.I.P.
Sorry to contradict you Willie Joe but I think he was Conor’s grand uncle, trust this is correct as I knew that family down the years. Condolences to his wife and family.
You’re right, Nephin, my mistake. I’ll correct it now, thanks.
No need to apologise at all, Meath Exile. I’ve made that correction now, thanks.
He made a serious contribution to Mayo football and the GAA in general. Condolences to his family and friends.
You are right Nephin. Was thinking same. Kevin owned the shop in Cross and his two sons (Kevin junior and Gary) worked there. Kevin Junior who died was Conor’s dad.
RIP Micky Loftus
No problem WJ . Wasn’t trying to correct you, but I know you’re very much into accuracy.
My condolences to the Loftus family on the passing of a truly great servant of Mayo and the GAA. I never had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Mick but his contribution on so many fronts distinguished him above many others, including his crusade to highlight the number of alcohol related deaths which he saw, only to close up, as coroner for North Mayo. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis
For sure, Nephin – it’s important to get the details right!
A true legend on so many levels: all Ireland winner, ref, President of GAA, campaigner on alcohol issues, medic, coroner.
Legend and gentleman and some life he lived. Loved the social media updates from Rosanna over the years, Mick always had a smile on his face.
RIP , Dr Mick Loftus.
RIP Dr Mick .
A gentleman
RIP Dr. Mick. He seemed to be some man for physical fitness, still running marathons in his late seventies! Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Didn’t know the man but to sum him up for me he was one of those men you’d point out with pride and say “he’s a Mayo man “ to others . A truly great ambassador to the county . May he RIP
RIP
R.I.P Dr Mick.
My sincere condolences to the Loftus family in Crossmolina he was my idol when I played my first adult game with Cross in 1958 and when I Was Chairman of the Navan O MahonysGFC. he as GAA President attended our AGM a wonderful gentleman in all walks of life may he rest in peace. Martin Moffatt
RIP Dr Mick
RIP Dr Mick. A gentleman to the core. Reading his list of achievements on and off the field. Unreal.
Deepest sympathy to his wife and Cllr Michael Loftus and the extended Loftus family on the death of Dr Mickey, a true gentleman and a great doctor. He always had a smile on his face and encouraged everyone he met
Heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the Loftus family on the passing of a legend, Dr. Mick Loftus. Had the pleasure of only meeting him once unfortunately. He presented Pioneer pins to the students in our school. So relaxed, a gentleman.
A Proud Pioneer in the sea of addiction in what Ireland has become today. They don’t make people of his generation anymore, and there’ll never be, like my grandparents of his ilk. Sublime human beings, hardworking and so giving. They defined the term Volunteerism.
You will not get that today by young people nor in the future by pretenders to that throne.
May God rest your gentle soul Dr. Mick Loftus.
RIP to Doctor mick loftus. His family/ grandkids and grand nephew all went to my secondary school lovely family and he was a gentleman too.
What a Laochra Gael/fear Mhuigeo that served the GAA with distinction and pride also Crossmolina as their GP.
Beannacht De lena anamh dilis
Ni bheidh a leichead aris ann
Brón ar an mbás!
Rest in peace Dr Mickey. Great man. Nice man.
RIP Dr. Mick.
He was indeed everything that posters here have said of him and more.
I remember his campaign against the drink rounds system which he correctly identified as a key factor in excessive alcohol consumption.
A great Mayo and Connaught man. Condolences to all. We had an ok win v Ros. today – it’s still early days and wide open.. I was delighted to see C. Murtagh getting man of match award. He has a great attitude, good team player, and keeps it simple.
RIP. Mick Loftus..never minded going against the tide in relation to the damage done by and the legacy of alcoholism. Great Crossmolina man too.
Can someone confirm Roscommon are now 3 seeds and will be in group excluding Galway, assuming the are provincial winners, increasing our chances to be in the Galway group.
Condolences to all the Loftus families on the passing of Doctor Mick, always professional in his work. May his soul rest in peace.
RIP Dr. Mick. Strange feeling to have lost our last real link to the ’51 team.
Rip dr Loftus .was he born in Strokestown
Seán, Kildare.
Sincere condolences to all the Loftus family on the death of Dr. Mick. Both my parents were from Mayo and my late father used to recount the wonderful achievements of the Mayo teams of ’50 and ’51, including stories of Dr. Mick.
A man of sincerity and conviction and a wonderful servant to Mayo and the GAA family.
Ar Dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
May he R.I.P. Condolences to the Loftus family at this sad time. A sad day for Mayo GAA.
RIP Dr Mick Loftus
Williamston Gerry, Dr Mick Loftus was born in Kiltoom, Roscommon where I believe he spent maybe 2 years and the family then moved to Elphin in Roscommon before settling in Crossmolina. I remember seeing an interview with one of the family where they referenced that he would often mention the Kiltoom link. RIP to the Loftus family at this sad time.
The heartbeat of our club for 3 generations. His legacy will inspire and last for many more. RIP Dr. Mickey.
Cheers MayoMadness for that
One down to earth man , a gentleman , Always so practical .God bless him .
A wonderful man who was never afraid to say it like he saw it. Alcohol is a big big problem and we’re great at burying the heads.
God rest Mickey and may his spirit be an eternal guide to us on our journey to the future.
Maigheo abu.
RIP Dr Mick Loftus a Mayo legend .