Cribbin won the 1969–70 National Football League with Mayo — the county's first trophy at that level since 1954 — and scored two goals and a point against Down in the NFL final.[4][5] Mayo then finished as league runner-up to Kerry in 1971 and 1972.[4] He had less than four years of playing at the elite level due to injuries.[1] His final match as a Mayo player was against Roscommon in the 1972 Connacht Senior Football Championship.[1] With his club Ballyhaunis, Cribbin played in the same team as his brothers Tom Short and Tony (Toto).[2][3] In retirement from playing, Cribbin coached underage teams including Breaffy National School.[1][5]
He died of an illness at Mayo University Hospital on the morning of 8 May 2020.[4] His funeral occurred exactly 50 years after the NFL final in which he scored two goals.[3]