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Irish Broadcasting Icon Michael Lyster Passes Away at 71, Leaving Behind a Legacy in Gaelic Games
DUBLIN, Ireland – Michael Lyster, a beloved figure in Irish broadcasting and a name synonymous with Gaelic sports, has died at the age of 71. Lyster was best known for his three-decade tenure as the host of “The Sunday Game,” the flagship Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) program on RTÉ, Ireland’s national broadcaster.
Lyster anchored “The Sunday Game” for an impressive 34 years before stepping down in 2018. During his time, he presided over countless memorable moments, expertly guiding discussions and drawing insightful analysis from a panel of football and hurling legends, including Joe Brolly, Pat Spillane, Colm O’Rourke, Cyril Farrell, and Ger Loughnane.
Born in Dungarvan, County Waterford, in 1954, Lyster spent much of his formative years in Barnaderg, County Galway. His media career began at The Tuam Herald, where he penned a music column, before joining RTÉ in 1980 as a sports bulletin presenter for Radio 2.
He quickly rose through the ranks, hosting a variety of sports programs and reporting on major events like the Olympic Games and the All-Ireland Hurling Finals. He took the reins of “The Sunday Game” in 1984, becoming its iconic face for the next 34 seasons.
Beyond his professional life, Lyster was a devoted family man, married to Anne for over 40 years, with whom he had four children: sons Mark and Jack, and daughters Rebecca and Ellen. He also harbored a strong passion for motorsport, enthusiastically competing as a rally driver and achieving a third-place finish in the Cork International Rally. His commitment extended to his local community, where he served as the first secretary for the Killererin Community Council.
Tributes have poured in for the broadcasting legend. Kevin Bakhurst, RTÉ director-general, described Lyster as “an absolute gentleman, and a wonderful broadcaster who loved sport in general and Gaelic games, in particular.” Bakhurst praised his “calm, fair and professional style, along with his great sense of humour and fun,” which endeared him to fans and colleagues alike.
Lyster’s decision to retire from “The Sunday Game” was influenced by a series of health challenges, including heart failure in 2012, a mini-stroke in 2013, and cardiac arrest in 2015. Reflecting on his health before his final season in 2018, Lyster stated, “Following my health scare a few years ago, every day and every year was a bonus. That’s the mindset I’ve continued to have and I feel incredibly lucky to have another season to look forward to at the helm.”
In a mark of respect, a minute’s silence was observed before Galway’s National Football League fixture against Dublin on Sunday. Irish political leaders also offered their condolences, with Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin calling Lyster “a moderniser of sport broadcasting” and “synonymous with many outstanding sporting moments.” Tánaiste (Deputy Prime Minister) Simon Harris added, “A proud Galway man, Michael was a giant of sports broadcasting in Ireland and was synonymous with RTÉ’s coverage of Gaelic games.”