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 medal as Cork trounced Limerick by 3–15 to 4–5 at the newly-opened Páirc Uí Chaoimh. 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 and a kicked effort from team captain Ray Cummins gave Cork a 2–21 to 4–11 victory. It was Crowley's first All-Ireland medal.