McLoughney first came to prominence at juvenile and underage levels with the Toomevara club. After joining the club's top adult team while still a minor, he was part of their Munster Club Championship-winning team in 2006, while also winning two County Championship titles.[1] McLoughney first appeared on the inter-county scene during a four-year stint with the Tipperary minor team, which culminated with him captaining the team to the All-Ireland Championship in 2006.[2] He subsequently joined the Tipperary under-21 team and lined out in the 2008 All-Ireland under-21 final defeat by Kilkenny.[3] McLoughney was drafted onto the Tipperary senior hurling team for the pre-season Waterford Crystal Cup in 2013 but was released from the panel shortly after.[4] He ended his inter-county career with an All-Ireland Championship title with the Tipperary intermediate team in 2013.[citation needed]