There is shock and great sadness in GAA circles and community circles generally throughout County Roscommon following news of the untimely death of former football and hurling star Harry Crowley.
Mr Crowley died following a traffic accident in the early hours of Sunday morning last.
Harry Crowley, who was aged in his 60s, was a very well-known figure in GAA, farming and community circles. A renowned hurler and footballer in his youth, he came to prominence as a member of the Roscommon minor football team that won the Connacht title in 1975, defeating Mayo in the final.
Three years later, Harry was full-forward on the Roscommon U-21 team that famously defeated Kerry in the All-Ireland final in Dr Hyde Park. Harry scored two points in that famous game. That noted, it was his scoring of a spectacular winning point in the Connacht final against Galway that propelled the Oran man into the spotlight.
Taken from my own book a few years ago is this short passage:
‘The Connacht final was not until July. The opponents were Galway in Duggan Park in Ballinasloe. It was a real helter-skelter match that could have gone either way. Roscommon were six points down at one stage but fought back. A penalty scored by Tony McManus was crucial late in the second half. However the game was heading for a draw when Oran’s finest, Harry Crowley, scored a spectacular point from 50 yards out with almost the last kick of the game to win it for Roscommon (3-9 to 2-11). Roscommon had played poorly and got out of jail.’
While Harry played plenty of club football after those momentous early career highs, his first love was hurling, and he would excel in that code too.
Oran didn’t have a senior team at the time, but that didn’t deter him as Harry won a couple of senior titles with Athleague. Then, when Oran began fielding a senior team from 1983 on, Harry was front and centre of their efforts. Indeed he was captain of the Oran team that memorably won successive senior club titles in 1989 and 1990.
He was also involved in team management with Roscommon hurlers and with Oran. He was a selector when the club won their most recent senior club title, in 2016.
Harry was also well-known in the farming community and he worked at various times in Elphin and Castlerea marts.
Only last week I met Harry at Casey’s filling station and we chatted about how the Roscommon team were doing. He retained a huge interest in the fortunes of Roscommon county teams, both hurling and football. He was a modest man who was always friendly and a lovely person to meet and chat to.
Harry Crowley, of Cargins Park, Donamon, Co Roscommon, is deeply mourned by his wife Mairéad, sister-in-law Emma, brother-in-law Declan, and by extended family and friends. May he rest in peace.
