View source for Johnny Crowley

{{Short description|Cork hurler}}
{{About|the Cork hurler Johnny Crowley|the Gaelic footballer of the same name|Johnny Crowley (Gaelic footballer)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Use Hiberno-English|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox Gaelic games player
| code= Hurling
| sport = Hurling
| image =
| name = Johnny Crowley
| irish = Seán Ó Crualaoich
| fullname = 
| feet = 6
| inches = 0
| occupation = Sales representative
| county = Cork
| province = Munster
| club = [[Bishopstown GAA|Bishopstown]]
| clposition = 
| clubs =
| clyears = 
| clapps(points) =
| clcountyh = 0
| clcountyf = 0
| clprovince=
| clallireland =
| counties = [[Cork county hurling team|Cork]]
| icposition = Centre-back
| icyears = 1976–1987
| icapps(points) = 39 (0-00)
| icprovince = 9
| icallireland = 5
| nhl = 1
| allstars = 1
| clupdate =
| icupdate =
| birth_date={{Birth date and age|df=yes|1956|2|21}}
| birth_place=[[Enniskean]], [[County Cork]], Ireland
}}
'''Johnny Crowley''' (born 21 February 1956) is an Irish former [[Hurling|hurler]] who played as a centre-back at senior level for the [[Cork county hurling team|Cork county team]].

Born in [[Enniskean]], [[County Cork]], his family later moved to the city. He attended [[Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh]] for a couple of years, but transferred to [[St Finbarr's College, Farranferris]] after 4th year. He first arrived on the inter-county scene at the age of eighteen when he first linked up with the Cork minor teams as a [[dual player]], before later joining the Cork under-21 hurling team. He made his senior debut during the [[1976 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1976 championship]]. Crowley enjoyed a decade-long career with Cork and won five [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|All-Ireland]] medals, nine [[Munster Senior Hurling Championship|Munster]] medals and one [[National Hurling League]] medal. He was an All-Ireland runner-up on two occasions.

Crowley also lined out with [[Munster GAA|Munster]] in the inter-provincial series, however, he never won a [[Railway Cup]] medal. At club level he enjoyed a lengthy career with [[Bishopstown GAA|Bishopstown]].

Throughout his inter-county career, Crowley made 39 championship appearances for Cork. His retirement came following the conclusion of the [[1987 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1987 championship]].

In retirement from playing Crowley became involved in team management and coaching. As a selector under manager [[Jimmy Barry-Murphy]], he has helped guide Cork to All-Ireland, Munster and National League successes. Crowley also served as manager of the Bishopstown senior team.

==Playing career==

===Club===

Crowley played his club hurling and football with Bishopstown.  He enjoyed little success with the relatively new club, however, he did win a city junior hurling championship medal in 1977.

===Minor and under-21===

Crowley first came to prominence as a dual player of both hurling and [[Gaelic football]] with Cork in 1974. He won a [[Munster Minor Hurling Championship|Munster]] medal with the hurlers following a 2–11 to 2–7 defeat of [[Tipperary GAA|Tipperary]] in a replay, while he also claimed a [[Munster Minor Football Championship|provincial]] medal with the footballers who bested old rivals [[Kerry GAA|Kerry]] by 0–13 to 1–6. The subsequent All-Ireland hurling final saw Cork narrowly defeat [[Kilkenny GAA|Kilkenny]] by 1–10 to 1–8, giving Crowley an [[All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship]] medal. Two weeks later he was back in [[Croke Park]] as the footballers faced [[Mayo GAA|Mayo]] in the championship decider. Cork once again emerged victorious following a 1–10 to 1–6 victory. The win gave Crowley a unique double as he collected his second [[All-Ireland Minor Football Championship|All-Ireland]] medal.

In 1975 Crowley was an automatic choice in defence for the Cork under-21 hurling team. He won a [[Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship|Munster]] medal that year following a 3–12 to 2–6 defeat of [[Limerick GAA|Limerick]], before later lining out in the All-Ireland decider against Kilkenny. In what was rated as the best hurling game of the year, Cork looked likely champions, however, two great saves from [[Kevin Fennelly]] in the closing stages saw the Cats seal a 5–13 to 2–19 victory.

Cork continued their provincial dominance in 1976, with Crowley collecting a second Munster medal following a 2–11 to 3–6 win over [[Clare GAA|Clare]]. The subsequent All-Ireland decider was a replay of the previous year, with Cork facing Kilkenny as underdogs. The Rebels powered to a 2–17 to 1–8 victory, giving Crowley his first [[All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship|All-Ireland]] medal in the grade.

Crowley collected a third consecutive Munster medal in 1977 as Limerick fell by 5–9 to 1–8.  A third successive All-Ireland decider beckoned and, for the third year in-a-row, Kilkenny were the opponents.  Only a goal separated the sides at the full-time whistle, however, victory went to Kilkenny by 2–9 to 1–9.

===Senior===

Crowley made his senior championship debut with Cork on 13 June 1976 in a 4–10 to 2–15 defeat of Tipperary. He later collected his first [[Munster Senior Hurling Championship|Munster]] medal as Cork trounced Limerick by 3–15 to 4–5 at the newly-opened [[Páirc Uí Chaoimh]]. [[Wexford GAA|Wecford]] provided the opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland final on 5 September 1976. Wexford got off to a great start and were 2–2 to no score ahead after just six minutes. Wexford had a two-point lead with ten minutes to go, however, three points from [[Jimmy Barry-Murphy]], two from [[Pat Moylan (Cork hurler)|Pat Moylan]] and a kicked effort from team captain [[Ray Cummins]] gave Cork a 2–21 to 4–11 victory.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/cork/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=108922|title=Cork's three-in-a-row 70s hurling teams honoured|date=23 March 2009|publisher=Hogan Stand website|access-date=8 July 2014}}</ref> It was Crowley's first [[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|All-Ireland]] medal.

In 1977 Crowley won a second Munster medal following a 4–15 to 4–10 defeat of fourteen-man Clare. The All-Ireland final on 4 September 1977 was a repeat of the previous year, with Wexford providing the opposition once again. [[Seánie O'Leary]] scored the decisive goal for Cork as the game entered the last quarter, while [[Martin Coleman]] brought off a match-winning save from [[Christy Keogh]] to foil the Wexford comeback. A 1–17 to 3–8 victory gave Crowley a second All-Ireland medal.

Cork secured the provincial title again in 1978 following a narrow 0–13 to 0–11 defeat of Clare, with Crowley picking up a third Munster medal. Kilkenny provided the opposition in the subsequent All-Ireland decider on 3 September 1978. Cork secured a first three-in-a-row of All-Ireland titles for the first time in over twenty years, as a [[Jimmy Barry-Murphy]] goal helped the team to a 1–15 to 2–8 victory over Kilkenny.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/2006/0830/cork.html|title=Cork v Kilkenny Classics: 1978 SHC final|publisher=RTÉ Sport|date=30 August 2006|access-date=15 September 2009}}</ref> It was Crowley's third successive All-Ireland medal.

In 1979 Cork were invincible in the provincial championship once again. A 2–15 to 0–9 trouncing of Limerick gave the county a record-equalling fifth consecutive provincial title, with Crowley collecting his fourth Munster medal.

Crowley won his sole [[National Hurling League]] medal in 1980 following a 4–15 to 4–6 defeat of Limerick in a replay of the final.

After a trophy-less season for Crowley in 1981, Cork returned to their winning ways the following year. A massive 5–31 to 3–6 defeat of [[Waterford GAA|Waterford]] gave Crowley his fifth Munster medal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/tipp-give-record-books-battering-160722.html|title=Tipp give record books battering|publisher=Irish Examiner|date=11 July 2011|access-date=21 July 2014|first=Fintan & O'Sullivan, Jim|last=O'Toole}}</ref> Cork subsequently faced rank outsiders Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final on 5 September 1982. The opening eighteen minutes were frantic, however, a [[Noel Skehan]] save from a Seánie O'Leary shot inspired Kilkenny. A brace of goals from [[Christy Heffernan]] in two minutes just before the break gave the Cats a commanding 2–11 to 0–7 lead. Cork rallied after the restart, however, Skehan was the hero for Kilkenny as they powered to a 3–18 to 1–13 victory.

Crowley secured a sixth Munster medal in 1983 following a 3–22 to 0–12 rout of Waterford once again. The All-Ireland final on 4 September 1983 was a repeat of the previous year with Kilkenny providing the opposition once again. The Cats built up a healthy interval advantage of six points. Shortly after the restart the Noresiders advantage was nine points, however, they failed to score for the last seventeen minutes of the game. Cork rallied with goals from [[Tomás Mulcahy]] and Seánie O'Leary but were ultimately defeated by 2–14 to 2–12.

Cork were the dominant force in Munster once again in 1984, with Crowley winning a seventh Munster medal following a memorable 4–15 to 3–14 defeat of Tipperary in the provincial showpiece.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=117264|title=Flashback: The Centenary Munster final|publisher=Hogan Stand website|date=3 September 2009|access-date=21 July 2014}}</ref> The subsequent All-Ireland final on 2 September 1984, played at [[Semple Stadium]] in [[Thurles]], saw Cork take on [[Offaly GAA|Offaly]] for the first time ever in championship history. The centenary-year final failed to live up to expectations and Cork recorded a relatively easy 3–16 to 1–12 victory. It was Crowley's fourth All-Ireland medal, while he was also named [[man of the match]]. He was later honoured with his sole [[GAA All-Stars Awards|All-Star]] award.

In 1985 Crowley added an eighth Munster title to his collection as Cork defeated Tipperary by 4–17 to 4–11 in the provincial decider once again.

Cork made it five-in-a-row in Munster in 1986 as they defeated Clare by 2–18 to 3–12 to take the provincial title. It was Crowley's ninth Munster medal. This victory paved the way for an All-Ireland final meeting with [[Galway GAA|Galway]] on 7 September 1986.  The men from the west were the red-hot favourites against a Cork team in decline, however, on the day a different story unfolded. Four Cork goals, one from [[John Fenton (hurler)|John Fenton]], two from Tomás Mulcahy and one from [[Kevin Hennessy]], stymied the Galway attack and helped the Rebels to a 4–13 to 2–15 victory. It was Crowley's fifth and final All-Ireland medal.

In 1987 Cork's hopes of winning a record-breaking sixth successive Munster crown were dashed when Tipperary beat Cork by 4–22 to 1–22 in a replay of the provincial decider. Crowley retired from inter-county hurling following this defeat.

===Inter-provincial===

Crowley was also chosen for duty with the Munster inter-provincial team on one occasion.

==Managerial career==

===Cork===
In late 1995 Jimmy Barry-Murphy was appointed [[Manager (Gaelic Games)|manager]] of the Cork senior hurling team.  The appointment of Crowley and [[Tom Cashman]] as selectors led to the managerial team being referred to as the 'dream team.'  This tag stuck, however, Cork's fortunes remained in the doldrums.  A humiliating defeat by Limerick at home in [[Páirc Uí Chaoimh]] in 1996 was followed by a defeat by Clare in 1997.

In 1998, the defeats of the previous two seasons put the management team under pressure to deliver.  A successful National League campaign saw Cork reach the final of that competition and defeat Waterford.  This success meant that the team went into the championship with great expectations, however, the Munster semi-final saw Clare defeat Cork on a score line of 0–21 to 0–14.  For the sixth year in-a-row Cork had failed to make it to the All-Ireland series.

1999 was a make-or-break year for Barry-Murphy, Crowley and Cashman.  The manager and selectors introduced a host of new players and one of the youngest Cork teams ever took to the field in the championship.  The Munster final saw Cork take on Clare, a team that had defeated them at the semifinal stage in 1997 and 1998.  Clare entered the game as the red-hot favourites and as possible All-Ireland contenders, however, a younger Cork team finally triumphed and Cork claimed their first Munster title since 1992.  Cork defeated reigning All-Ireland champions Offaly by three points in the All-Ireland semi-final before reaching the championship decider with Kilkenny.  The game, played in atrocious conditions, proved to be an anti-climax.  Cork were victorious by a single point, 0–13 to 0–12, and the managerial trio had finally led their county back to the All-Ireland title.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaa-championships/hurling/championship-flashback-allireland-shc-final-september-1999-1445994.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120802115522/http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaa-championships/hurling/championship-flashback-allireland-shc-final-september-1999-1445994.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 August 2012 |title=Championship Flashback: All-Ireland SHC final, September 1999 |publisher=[[Irish Independent]] |date=4 August 2010 |access-date=15 September 2009 }}</ref>

In 2000 Cork retained their Munster title after defeating Tipperary.  Once again, the experts predicted a Cork-Kilkenny final, however, Offaly were waiting in the All-Ireland semi-final and duly defeated Cork. This was Crowley's last game as a selector as the managerial team disbanded shortly afterwards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/2000/1108/gaa.html |title=GAA: Managerial changes in Cork and Offaly |publisher=[[RTÉ Sport]] |date=8 November 2010 |access-date=15 September 2009 }}{{dead link|date=June 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

===Bishopstown===
Following his period as an inter-county selector, Crowley returned to club activity and served as manager of the Bishopstown senior hurling team for a while in the early 2000s.

==Honours==
===Team===

;St Finbarr's College
*[[Dr Croke Cup]]: [[1974 Croke Cup|1974]]
*[[Dr. Harty Cup|Harty Cup]]: [[1972–73 Harty Cup|1973]], [[1973–74 Harty Cup|1974]] (c)

;Bishopstown
*[[City Junior A Hurling Championship]] (1): 1977

;Cork
*[[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]] (5): [[1976 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1976]], [[1977 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1977]], [[1978 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1978]], [[1984 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1984]], [[1986 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1986]]
*[[Munster Senior Hurling Championship]] (9): [[1976 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|1976]], [[1977 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|1977]], [[1978 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|1978]], [[1979 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling championship|1979]], [[1982 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|1982]], [[1983 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|1983]], [[1984 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|1984]], [[1985 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|1985]], [[1986 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|1986]]
*[[National Hurling League]] (1): [[National Hurling League 1979-80|1979–80]]
*[[All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship]] (1): [[1976 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship|1976]]
*[[Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship]] (1): [[1975 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship#Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship|1975]], [[1976 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship#Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship|1976]], [[1977 All-Ireland Under-21 Hurling Championship#Munster Under-21 Hurling Championship|1977]]
*[[All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship]] (1): [[1974 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship|1974]]
*[[Munster Minor Hurling Championship]] (1): [[1974 All-Ireland Minor Hurling Championship#Munster Minor Hurling Championship|1974]]
*[[All-Ireland Minor Football Championship]] (1): 1974
*[[Munster Minor Football Championship]] (1): 1974

===Individual===

;Awards
*[[GAA All-Stars Awards|All-Star]] (1): 1984
*[[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|All-Ireland final]] [[man of the match]] (1): 1984

===Selector===

;Cork
*[[All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship]] (1): [[1999 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship|1999]]
*[[Munster Senior Hurling Championship]] (3): [[1999 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|1999]], [[2000 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|2000]], [[2014 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship#Munster Senior Hurling Championship|2014]]
*[[National Hurling League]] (1): [[National Hurling League 1998|1998]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Navboxes
|title= Johnny Crowley navigation boxes
|bg= 
|fg= 
|list1=
{{Cork Minor Hurling Team 1974}}
{{Cork Minor Football Team 1974}}
{{Cork Under-21 Hurling Team 1975}}
{{Cork Under-21 Hurling Team 1976}}
{{Cork Under-21 Hurling Team 1977}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 1976}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 1977}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 1978}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 1982}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 1983}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 1984}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 1986}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 1999}}
{{Cork Hurling Team 2013}}
{{1984 Hurling All Stars}}
{{All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final Man of the Match}}
}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crowley, Johnny}}
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Dual players]]
[[Category:Bishopstown Gaelic footballers]]
[[Category:Bishopstown hurlers]]
[[Category:Seandún hurlers]]
[[Category:Cork inter-county hurlers]]
[[Category:Cork inter-county Gaelic footballers]]
[[Category:Munster inter-provincial hurlers]]
[[Category:Hurling managers]]
[[Category:Hurling selectors]]
[[Category:All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship winners]]
[[Category:20th-century Irish sportsmen]]
[[Category:People educated at St Finbarr's College, Farranferris]]