Crowley first came to prominence as a dual player of both hurling and Gaelic football with Cork in 1974. He won a Munster medal with the hurlers following a 2–11 to 2–7 defeat of Tipperary in a replay, while he also claimed a provincial medal with the footballers who bested old rivals Kerry by 0–13 to 1–6. The subsequent All-Ireland hurling final saw Cork narrowly defeat 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 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 medal.