Ireland: RIP Tommy. " May your home always be too small to hold all your friends."

The Limerick Leader reports

Sadness as the ‘Voice of Thomond’ Tommy Creamer passes away

The voice of Thomond Park for over 30 years PA announcer Tommy Creamer, holds up his match tickets from 1978 Munster v All Blacks at Thomond Park and a 1995 world cup ticket Ireland v All Blacks from Ellis Park 

RUGBY fans have been saddened to learn of the passing of Tommy Creamer, regarded as being ‘the voice of Limerick rugby’ for close on 30 years.

I was privileged to meet Tommy during the 2005 Lions tour. I knew of Tommy's fame as the ground commentator at " that match ". Munster remains the  only Irish side to have beaten the All Blacks, what I didn't know was Tommy's incredible resourcefulness, while we were queuing for drinks Tommy appeared almost like magic with Heineken's for all, as the only local in our party I was more than a little impressed.

Life-long Shannon RFC supporter Tommy Creamer was the public address announcer at Thomond Park between 1974 and 2004.

He performed the PA duties for the last time at Munster’s Heineken Cup quarter-final clash with Stade Francais 10 years ago.

Tommy was stadium announcer on the day Munster stunned the All-Blacks in 1978.

I was 11 years old at the time and I must have watched hundreds  of matches since then but I would trade most of those matches to have been able to watch that match. Talking to Tommy about it made up for missing it.

During his rugby playing days, the late Tommy Creamer won a Munster Junior Cup medal with Shannon RFC in 1962. He was also a talented soccer player.

Obviously something I am in no position to comment on. I do however recall a great conversation about Ireland and an involved discussion about Leon Uris and his novel Trinity. Both Tommy and his daughter Jennifer were very generous in sharing their take on the political situation in Ireland. 

         Lions V. All Blacks 2005. From left: Me, A woman who's name I have forgotten, Jennifer, Rob and Tommy. 

He is survived by his wife Martha and daughters Geraldine, Lesley, Susan and Jennifer.

His will repose in Milford Care Centre Mortuary this Wednesday from 5pm, with removal at 6.30pm to St Mary’s Church. Mr Creamer’s funeral will take place on Thursday after 11am Mass to Castlemungret Cemetery.

My thoughts go out to Jennifer and Mathew and the rest of Tommy's family. RIP Tommy