Johnny Crowley
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Hurling | ||
| Position | Half-back | ||
| Club(s) | |||
| Years | Club | ||
| Bishopstown | |||
| Inter-county(ies) | |||
| Years | County | Apps (scores) | |
1976-1987 | Cork | 40 | |
| Inter-county titles | |||
| Munster titles | 9 | ||
| All-Irelands | 5 | ||
Johnny Crowley (born 21 February, 1956) is a former Irish sportsperson who played hurling with Bishopstown and Cork in the 1970s and 1980s.
Early life
Johnny Crowley was born in Enniskeane County Cork in 1956. He was educated locally and at St. Finbarr's College at Farrenferris in Cork. It was here that his interest in Gaelic Games was nurtured, and he won a Harty Cup medal with the college in 1974.
Playing career
Club
Crowley played his club hurling with the Bishopstown club in Cork.
Inter-county
By 1974 Crowley was playing both hurling and football with the Cork minor teams, winning All-Ireland medals in both codes that same year. He also played soccer around this time, joining Jimmy Barry-Murphy on the Wilton team. By 1976 Crowley decided to concentrate on hurling and had graduated onto both the under-21 and senior teams. That year he won an All-Ireland title with the under-21 hurlers. Earlier in the year he had claimed his first Munster Championship medal as well as his first All-Ireland medal at senior level. In the All-Ireland final against Wexford Crowley was marking Martin Quigley. Quigley scored two goals inside five minutes, however, Cork still went on to win. In 1977 Crowley won further Munster and All-Ireland honours.
In 1978 Cork were aiming to complete an elusive three-in-a-row of All-Ireland victories. The pressure was on, however, Crowley played a key role and secured his third Munster and All-Ireland medals with the senior side. 1980 saw Crowley win a National Hurling League title, adding to his collection of medals. In 1982 and 1983 Crowley won a nother two Munster titles with Cork, however, the side lost both All-Ireland finals to Kilkenny. In 1984 Cork annexed another Munster title and were well prepared for the All-Ireland final against Offaly. Crowley won his fourth All-Ireland medal in the centenary year of the Gaelic Athletic Association, later being honoured with his only All-Star Award. Two more Munster medals were won in 1985 and 1986, bringing Crowley's total up to nine. He won his fifth All-Ireland medal against Galway in 1986. In 1987 Cork were defeated by Tipperary in a thrilling Munster final replay. It was Crowley's last game in the red jersey of Cork. In retirement he has maintained an interest in hurling. He was a selector with Jimmy Barry-Murphy in 1999 when Cork won the All-Ireland title once again and he also coached the Bishopstown senior hurlers.