Former RTÉ Sport broadcaster Michael Lyster has died at the age of 71.
He joined RTÉ in 1979 and was best known for presenting The Sunday Game Live for over three decades.
Lyster was a feature of RTÉ’s coverage of the Olympic Games and other major events, but it was anchoring GAA in which he became a household name around the country.
He retired from The Sunday Game at the end of 2018 after presenting coverage of the All-Ireland football final.
The punditry trio of Joe Brolly, Pat Spillane and Colm O’Rourke became regulars on The Sunday Game, with Lyster proving the perfect host to set the agenda and stir debate. It was mirrored in hurling with the likes of Cyril Farrell and Ger Loughnane.
They became hugely popular and mainstays of RTÉ’s coverage, with Lyster at the forefront.
Michael Lyster was best known for anchoring The Sunday Game
A minute’s silence was held before Galway’s match with Dublin in the Allianz Football League this afternoon in memory of the renowned broadcaster.
Away from GAA, he had a huge interest in motorsport and in particular rally driving, once taking part in the Cork International Rally and finishing third.
He presented a wide range of sports programmes for RTÉ, covering horse racing, motorsport, greyhound racing, athletics, rugby and soccer.
After 35 seasons, Michael Lyster has presented his last All-Ireland final for The Sunday Game – we look back at some highlights from his career with the programme and @rte pic.twitter.com/mJqygjqjh0
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) September 2, 2018
Taoiseach Micheál Martin paid tribute: “I’m deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Michael Lyster, a moderniser of sport broadcasting.
“The iconic anchor of The Sunday Game, Michael was synonymous with many outstanding sporting moments, especially in the Olympics and Gaelic games. Condolences to his wife Anne and family.”
RTÉ director-general Kevin Bakhurst added: “I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Michael Lyster today. Michael was an absolute gentleman, and a wonderful broadcaster who loved sport in general and Gaelic games, in particular.
“On The Sunday Game, Michael was at the heart of RTÉ’s GAA coverage of so many great games, as well as engaging panel discussions over many years which will live long in the memory.
“Michael’s calm, fair and professional style, along with his great sense of humour and fun endeared him to so many fans and colleagues alike. My thoughts are with his family and many friends at this sad time. May he rest in peace.”
Group head of RTÉ Sport, Declan McBennett, said that Lyster brought calmness and professionlism to his work: “Michael will forever be remembered as the face of The Sunday Game bringing the GAA’s greatest moments to a national audience.
“Always calm, measured and the consummate professional he managed and guided the panels across the biggest days in the GAA calendar with poise and grace.
“Those who worked with him in RTÉ will treasure his friendship and his easy manner in dealing with the pressure of the most intense days in sport.”
Lyster is survived by his wife Anne, sons Mark and Jack and daughters Ellen and Rebecca.