Joy by the Deel as sculpture of Dr Mick Loftus unveiled

A large crowd gathered in Crossmolina to celebrate the life of a true community man on Saturday.

Mick Loftus who passed away in April of last year aged 93, was the last surviving member of the All-Ireland-winning squad of 1951 and he served as president of the GAA from 1985 to 1988 - the only Mayo man ever to hold the office.

His statue was unveiled by GAA President Jarlath Burns, who shares a special connection to Loftus, as he explained on Saturday. “My very first congress was in 1988, the day Mickey handed over the baton to the next GAA president. I was a delegate for Armagh at the time. I remember being inspired by his speech, realising for the first time that day, that someday I might be in that seat. And for me to get there and to come back here all these years later, unveiling that statue for a great man, is a wonderful piece of symmetry for myself.”

Loftus will be remembered for many wonderful achievements, both on and off the sporting field and that was evident in the larhe attendance in Crossmolina on Saturday..

For Dr Mick's daughter Orla Loftus, the community has come full circle with its most famous son, who was born in Roscommon:

“I think of the little nine-ýear-old boy, who was probably lonely after following the death of his Mum and moving down here to Crossmolina with his brothers and sisters. The community of this town took him under their wing and helped him build a life based on community service, health, sport and family.”

Mick Loftus was also an accomplished referee, officiating two All-Ireland finals, a well respected medical practitioner and as one Crossmolina resident called it: “A politician without ever being an elected representative.”

For Mayo GAA chairman Seamus Tuohy, the fact that “we had an Uachtarán that had reached the highest level of the GAA, was an astonishing achievement. He was a gentleman. He was influential for the GAA, particularly around banning alcohol advertisement was huge. But he always stayed a clubman, no matter how high up in the GAA. The respect he had for his club and community was unbelievable.”

Everyone present pointed out Loftus' great sense of community. Former Mayo senior footballer and manager, John Maughan, told The Mayo News: “He was a giver.” Maughan, like many people from Crossmolina, knew him in his capacity as local GP. “Our relationship goes far back, as he was involved in my birth,” said Maughan.

The unveiled sculpture pays tribute to his profession, showing a stethoscope around his neck.

Crossmolina is proud of its “Dr Mickey” as he is affectionately known, and an exhibition displaying numerous items collected by Loftus himself during his colourful lifetime was enjoyed by all on Saturday. His grandson, Mikey, helped prepare the exhibition:

“We are very proud as a family of what he has achieved in his life. It's so lovely seeing all these people and friends, family and people he was involved with in the GAA. We are trying to do something nice for him.

“My Ganddad kept everything, every programme, every ticket, every newspaper article, anything to do with Crossmolina not just him, any sort of Crossmolina team, soccer as well. And all the rewards he was lucky to receive, different items and so many photos. He also kept all his speeches. We are trying to spread it out and let the memory do the talking.”

Granddaughter Rosanna contributed to the exhibition as well: “It was like a turn back in time. So many things I had never seen before. I wasn't around for 60 years of his life and there is a lot I wasn't around for. He would be so honoured to see his statue in the town, humbled, thinking he didn't deserve this, but he did!”

Dr Mick has left a lasting legacy, and is renowned far outside his local community along the banks of the Deel. Former Mayo senior footballer Alan Dillon was also present on Saturday and explained the influence the sporting doctor had.

“During my time playing for Ballintubber but also playing for Mayo at all age levels, Mickey Loftus was central to the Crossmolina club. You would meet him at the club grounds. You build a relationship. And I was down here for the Masters, for the Dr Mick Loftus Cup. That was a great occasion, because normally you only get recognised after you have passed on but in his case, Mickey was still alive and it was a proud day for him and his family.”

Dr Mick Loftus is now looking straight down Main Street in Crossmolina towards the Virgin Mary statue which he always loved. His memory will live on into infinity.