A Connacht provincial player, MacLoughlin spent most his career in North East England, briefly with brother Ray at Gosforth, before beginning a long association with another Gosforth based club Northern FC. He gained his only Ireland cap at the late age of 34, as a tighthead prop against Australia at Lansdowne Road in 1976.[3][4]
MacLoughlin has continued to live in Newcastle and was the inaugural president of the Irish Exiles, helping foreign based players such as Ross Nesdale gain Ireland selection.[5] He has also served on the IRFU committee.[6]