Alan McCrabbe
Encyclopedia
Alan McCrabbe is an Irish
sportsperson. He plays hurling
with his local club Craobh Chiaráin and has been a member of the Dublin
senior inter-county team since 2006.
club series of games. After a defeat of Mount Leinster Rangers, McCrabbe's side were defeated by Birr
in the provincial semi-final. McCrabbe was later named on the Dublin Blue Stars team for 2006 at right wing-forward.
Three years later in 2009 McCrabbe lined out in his second county final. Three-in-a-row hopefuls Ballyboden St. Enda's were the opponents once again. On this occasion McCrabbe's side were comprehensively defeated.
minor hurling team. In 2004 'the Dubs' reached the provincial decider, with Kilkenny
providing the opposition. 'The Cats' continued their dominance of the Leinster Championship
and a 1-14 to 1-4 victory gave them a fourteenth provincial title in fifteen years.
McCrabbe later joined the Dublin under-21 team. He lined out in the leinster
decider in that grade in 2005, however, after an exciting hour of hurling an Eoin Larkin
-inspired Kilkenny claimed a 0-17 to 1-10 victory.
In 2006 both Kilkenny and McCrabbe's Dublin went to battle again in the provincial under-21 decider. Kilkenny survived a second half fight-back from 'the Dubs' to claim a fourth consecutive Erin Leinster title, winning by 2-18 to 2-10. It was McCrabbe's second consecutive defeat in the provincial under-21 final.
In 2007 Dublin qualified for a third consecutive Leinster under-21 final. Offaly
were the opponents on this occasion, as McCrabbe hoped to claim a winners' medal at the third attempt. 'The Dubs' finally broke through and a 2-18 to 3-9 defeat of Offaly gave McCrabbe a Leinster under-21 winners' medal at last. It was Dublin's first title in that grade since 1972. A subsequent defeat of Cork allowed Dublin to advance to an All-Ireland final meeting with Galway
. The westerners got off to a dream start and took an early lead. At the long whistle McCrabbe's side were disappointingly defeated by 5-11 to 0-12. This was his last outing with the Dublin under-21 hurlers.
against Westmeath
. A narrow 0-13 to 0-11 defeat resulted in Dublin being banished to the All-Ireland qualifiers. Defeats by Offaly and Clare
saw McCrabbe's side exit the championship and enter into a relegation battle with Westmeath. 'The Dubs' reversed their opening defeat with a 0-16 to 0-8 victory and preserved their Liam McCarthy Cup
status.
In 2007 McCrabbe missed Dublin's opening defeat by Wexford
in the Leinster semi-final. His side later exited the championship after back-to-back defeats by Cork and Tipperary
in the All-Ireland qualifiers.
In 2008 McCrabbe surprised many when he decided to withdraw from the Dublin panel just weeks before their opening game in the championship. He was joined by Keith Dunne
who also withdrew from the game.
McCrabbe returned to the Dublin panel in 2009, just as new manager Anthony Daly
took charge. After a good showing in the National Hurling League
, Dublin got off to a great start in the championship wins over Antrim
and old rivals Wexford. A Leinster final date with Kilkenny was the reward for these wins. While many predicted a rout, 'the Dubs' gave 'the Cats' something of a scare. McCrabbe finished the game as Dublin's top scorer after notching up twelve points. A 2-18 to 0-18 score line resulted in a defeat for Dublin. In spite of this defeat Dublin still had a chance of making the All-Ireland final. For the first time since 1961 a Dublin team entered the All-Ireland series of games with a quarter-final meeting with Limerick
. A superb display by Gavin O'Mahony
inspired Limerick to a 2-18 to 1-17 victory. McCrabbe was later named at midfield on the All-Star
team. It was Dublin's first hurling All-Star award since Brian McMahon in 1990.
in the inter-provincial series of games.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
sportsperson. He plays hurling
Hurling
Hurling is an outdoor team game of ancient Gaelic origin, administered by the Gaelic Athletic Association, and played with sticks called hurleys and a ball called a sliotar. Hurling is the national game of Ireland. The game has prehistoric origins, has been played for at least 3,000 years, and...
with his local club Craobh Chiaráin and has been a member of the Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
senior inter-county team since 2006.
Club
McCrabbe plays his club hurling with his local club Craobh Chiaráin and has enjoyed some success. In 2006 he lined out in his first county senior championship final, with Ballyboden St. Enda's providing the opposition. A narrow 2-10 to 2-8 score line gave Craobh Chiaráin the victory and gave McCrabbe a coveted county winners' medal. Craobh Chiaráin subsequently represneted Dublin in the LeinsterLeinster Senior Club Hurling Championship
The Leinster Senior Club Hurling Championship is an annual Hurling tournament played between the winners of the senior club hurling championships of the counties in Leinster. The current holders of the Leinster title are Ballyhale Shamrocks from Kilkenny. The first Leinster senior club hurling...
club series of games. After a defeat of Mount Leinster Rangers, McCrabbe's side were defeated by Birr
Birr GAA
Birr GAA is a Gaelic Athletic Association club located in the town of Birr in County Offaly, Ireland. The club is almost exclusively concerned with hurling and are one of the most successful club hurling teams in the country.-Honours:...
in the provincial semi-final. McCrabbe was later named on the Dublin Blue Stars team for 2006 at right wing-forward.
Three years later in 2009 McCrabbe lined out in his second county final. Three-in-a-row hopefuls Ballyboden St. Enda's were the opponents once again. On this occasion McCrabbe's side were comprehensively defeated.
Minor & under-21
McCrabbe first came to prominence on the inter-county scene as a member of the DublinDublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
minor hurling team. In 2004 'the Dubs' reached the provincial decider, with Kilkenny
Kilkenny GAA
The Kilkenny County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland and is responsible for Gaelic Games in County Kilkenny. The county board has its head office and main grounds at Nowlan Park and is also responsible for Kilkenny inter-county teams...
providing the opposition. 'The Cats' continued their dominance of the Leinster Championship
Leinster Minor Hurling Championship
The ESB Leinster Minor Hurling Championship is the Minor "knockout" competition in the game of Hurling played in the province of Leinster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Leinster Council...
and a 1-14 to 1-4 victory gave them a fourteenth provincial title in fifteen years.
McCrabbe later joined the Dublin under-21 team. He lined out in the leinster
Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship
For the Senior equivalent see: Leinster Senior Hurling ChampionshipThe Leinster U-21 Hurling Championship or for sponsorship reasons the Erin Leinster Under-21 Hurling Championship is an U-21 hurling tournament. The first tournament took place in 1964 when Wexford were crowned champions. Wexford...
decider in that grade in 2005, however, after an exciting hour of hurling an Eoin Larkin
Eoin Larkin
Eoin Larkin is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club James Stephens and has been a member of the Kilkenny senior inter-county team since 2005...
-inspired Kilkenny claimed a 0-17 to 1-10 victory.
In 2006 both Kilkenny and McCrabbe's Dublin went to battle again in the provincial under-21 decider. Kilkenny survived a second half fight-back from 'the Dubs' to claim a fourth consecutive Erin Leinster title, winning by 2-18 to 2-10. It was McCrabbe's second consecutive defeat in the provincial under-21 final.
In 2007 Dublin qualified for a third consecutive Leinster under-21 final. Offaly
Offaly GAA
The Offaly County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Offaly GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Offaly...
were the opponents on this occasion, as McCrabbe hoped to claim a winners' medal at the third attempt. 'The Dubs' finally broke through and a 2-18 to 3-9 defeat of Offaly gave McCrabbe a Leinster under-21 winners' medal at last. It was Dublin's first title in that grade since 1972. A subsequent defeat of Cork allowed Dublin to advance to an All-Ireland final meeting with Galway
Galway GAA
The Galway County Boards of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Galway GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Galway. The county boards are also responsible for the Galway inter-county teams.Unlike all other counties in Ireland,...
. The westerners got off to a dream start and took an early lead. At the long whistle McCrabbe's side were disappointingly defeated by 5-11 to 0-12. This was his last outing with the Dublin under-21 hurlers.
Senior
By this stage McCrabbe had joined the Dublin senior hurling team. He made his championship debut in the opening round of the Leinster ChampionshipLeinster Senior Hurling Championship
The Leinster GAA Hurling Championship is an annual hurling competition organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association since 1888 for the top hurling teams in the province of Leinster in Ireland....
against Westmeath
Westmeath GAA
The Westmeath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Westmeath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Westmeath...
. A narrow 0-13 to 0-11 defeat resulted in Dublin being banished to the All-Ireland qualifiers. Defeats by Offaly and Clare
Clare GAA
The Clare County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Clare GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Clare. The county board is also responsible for the Clare inter-county teams....
saw McCrabbe's side exit the championship and enter into a relegation battle with Westmeath. 'The Dubs' reversed their opening defeat with a 0-16 to 0-8 victory and preserved their Liam McCarthy Cup
Liam McCarthy Cup
The MacCarthy Perpetual Challenge Cup is a trophy awarded annually by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the hurling team that wins the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship.-The trophy:...
status.
In 2007 McCrabbe missed Dublin's opening defeat by Wexford
Wexford GAA
The Wexford County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Wexford GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Wexford. The county board is also responsible for the Wexford inter-county teams.-History:Hurling has been played in...
in the Leinster semi-final. His side later exited the championship after back-to-back defeats by Cork and Tipperary
Tipperary GAA
The Tipperary County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or C is one of over 30 regional executive boards throughout the world. These executive boards are known as County Boards even though some no longer correspond to the area under the jurisdiction of the counties from which their names...
in the All-Ireland qualifiers.
In 2008 McCrabbe surprised many when he decided to withdraw from the Dublin panel just weeks before their opening game in the championship. He was joined by Keith Dunne
Keith Dunne
Keith Dunne is an Irish footballer, currently playing for Leinster Senior League Senior Division club Phoenix F.C....
who also withdrew from the game.
McCrabbe returned to the Dublin panel in 2009, just as new manager Anthony Daly
Anthony Daly (hurler)
Anthony Daly is an Irish hurling manager and former player. He is the current manager of the Dublin senior hurling team....
took charge. After a good showing in the National Hurling League
National Hurling League
The National Hurling League is an annual hurling competition between the county teams of Ireland. Contested by 35 teams , it operates on a system of promotion and relegation between four different divisions, with Division One...
, Dublin got off to a great start in the championship wins over Antrim
Antrim GAA
The Antrim County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Antrim GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Antrim. The county board is also responsible for the Antrim inter-county teams...
and old rivals Wexford. A Leinster final date with Kilkenny was the reward for these wins. While many predicted a rout, 'the Dubs' gave 'the Cats' something of a scare. McCrabbe finished the game as Dublin's top scorer after notching up twelve points. A 2-18 to 0-18 score line resulted in a defeat for Dublin. In spite of this defeat Dublin still had a chance of making the All-Ireland final. For the first time since 1961 a Dublin team entered the All-Ireland series of games with a quarter-final meeting with Limerick
Limerick GAA
The Limerick County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Limerick GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Limerick...
. A superb display by Gavin O'Mahony
Gavin O'Mahony
Gavin O'Mahony is an Irish sportsperson. He plays hurling with his local club Kilmallock and has a member of the Limerick senior inter-county team since 2009.-References:...
inspired Limerick to a 2-18 to 1-17 victory. McCrabbe was later named at midfield on the All-Star
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
team. It was Dublin's first hurling All-Star award since Brian McMahon in 1990.
Inter-provincial
McCrabbe has also represented LeinsterLeinster GAA
The Leinster Council is a Provincial council of the Gaelic Athletic Association sports of hurling, Gaelic football, camogie, rounders and handball in the province of Leinster. The Leinster Council has been partnered with the European County Board to help develop Gaelic Games in Europe...
in the inter-provincial series of games.