Frank Loughran began his football career in his native Northern Ireland before emigrating to Australia at the age of twenty-three.
His performances in Victoria State League for the Moreland club brought him to the attention of the Australian selectors and, after receiving his Australian citizenship, was called up to the Australian team in 1955. Loughran played 38 times for Australia, although only eight of those appearances are recognized as official “A” internationals, between 1955 and 1960 and scored the second goal when Australia defeated Japan in their Olympic debut. He was elected to the Australian Soccer Hall of Fame in 1999 and took part in the Olympic torch relay the following year.