The Limavady man feels not for the first time the most important people, the supporters, were let down.
"The fans are the biggest losers not the clubs and it was a sad day for Irish League football," he said.
"It was also a big loss financially for the Irish League. Everyone knows that the opening day of the season is always a big one for every club."
Loughrey admits that fellow ex-players should start moving into the officiating game, even though some of his former team-mates won't want to referee, they could become referee's assistants.
"We are crying out for referees and I would appeal for ex-players to move into the refereeing, they could now even just run the line and become linesmen.
"In April we approached the IFA with a new point plan but unfortunately they didn't take the referees serious and that's why the strike took place.
"However I'm convinced that this strike will benefit the game in the long term. Not only will it help the Championship, but it will also help junior football in the long term."
Loughrey came into the spotlight a few weeks ago when Portadown boss Ronnie McFall highlighted the lack of assistants in their match against Armagh City, which he officiated.
"To be honest it was a bit of a farce in the Portadown game, the IFA told them that they didn't need to supply a linesman, then at half-time Armagh withdrew their linesman. I was lucky that day because there were no real incidents. However it took four officials last year to referee that game, so that just shows you.
"The Intermediate committee said that the Championship is the same as Intermediate football and to be honest that's ridiculous, at the Portadown game there was 1,600 supporters, so it's ridiculous to try and get a sub or match official to try and do the line with that many spectators."