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Valleys Abroad - Interview with Darragh Crowley

  • May 29,2020

Next up in our series of Valleys abroad is Darragh Crowley, who is now based in Melbourne, Australia. Darragh talks about his most memorable days in the green and white and his current life down under.

 

So, let’s wind the clock back to a time before you left Valleys and tell us what your connection was with the Club? 

I played with Valleys from the age of 7-25 playing at every level from u7 up to senior, intermediate and junior. I have supported Valley Rovers all my life and tried to attend as many games as possible.


When did you move away and what was it like getting settled in? 

I moved away in February 2018 with four friends (Gary Farrell, Joe Lynch, Gearoid Ryan and Alan O Sullivan, with Tomas O Brien and Niall O Sullivan following suit not long after. It was easy getting settled in, as we all secured jobs and an apartment fairly quickly. The number of Irish people living in Australia is huge and everyone tries to look out for their own as much as possible, which is great.


Can you briefly describe to us your life now, work, family (if any) and have you time to be involved in GAA activities?

I work as an electrician with an Irish owned company in Melbourne. I play hurling with a club called Wolf Tones but unfortunately the season has been put on hold due to Covid19.


Looking back again at your time in Valleys, what would be your prominent memory of being around the GAA fields? 

Spending a lot of days down in the pitch with loads of friends playing hurling, football and nods and volleys. Also going to training on a nice summer evening was hard to beat.


Tell us a little bit more about your life away from Valleys, for instance, what’s your weekly routine, how do you attack the weekend, and what’s a holiday from where you currently live? 

Weekly routine would consist of working from 7 to 3:30 Monday to Friday. Before the lockdown we would have had hurling training twice a week and just hang out with friends other evenings. The weekends would consist of going for a few pints on a Saturday night. There is always something happening in Melbourne at the weekends so don’t seem to go on many holidays but have been fortunate enough to go on some great trips while living on this side of the world to places like Japan and Bali.



If you could replay one game with Valleys again, which game would it be and why? 

There are two games that stand out, the 2015 County final against Newcestown and the 2014 Munster final against Ardfert.


Who is your favourite Valleys player, past and/or present? 

I was a big fan of Alan Quirke, when I was growing up. Hard to look past Kevin Canty, as well.  


Have you any funny memories/stories from your time involved with Valleys, be it whilst playing, supporting etc. 

The nigh Noel O Leary (Cill na Martra) presented Noel O Leary (Valley Rovers) with his medal at the dinner dance was a great moment.


What’s your favourite sporting moment of all time? 

Valley’s winning the 2008 Intermediate Football County and Cork winning the 2004 All Ireland final. Apart from GAA, Liverpool winning the Champions League final last year was a good one.


Finally, do you have a message to send home to Innishannon? 

Stay safe everyone and hopefully this will all be over soon.


If you would like to take part in our ‘Valleys abroad” series or know of anyone who would like to do so please contact Colm on 0851674104.