Michael Lyster, The Sunday Game’s Iconic Presenter, Dies at 71

Michael Lyster, the long-serving and beloved presenter of RTÉ’s The Sunday Game, has died at the age of 71. His passing marks the conclude of an era for Gaelic games broadcasting in Ireland.

A Broadcasting Career Spanning Decades

Lyster joined RTÉ in 1979 as a sports newsreader and quickly transitioned into presenting roles. He became synonymous with The Sunday Game in 1984, taking over from Jim Carney , initially as a highlights indicate, and later as its live presenter as more games were televised on Sunday afternoons.

Beyond The Sunday Game, Lyster’s broadcasting career encompassed a wide range of sports, including the Olympic Games (starting with the 1984 Moscow Games), horse racing, athletics, rugby, soccer, motorsport, and greyhound racing . He also presented radio coverage of All-Ireland hurling and football finals in his early years at RTÉ and anchored the Saturday multi-sport highlights show, Sports Stadium.

The Face of The Sunday Game

Lyster’s calm and measured style became a hallmark of The Sunday Game, providing a steady presence amidst often-heated debates among panelists. He expertly guided discussions with prominent GAA analysts such as Joe Brolly, Pat Spillane, and Colm O’Rourke in football, and Cyril Farrell and Ger Loughnane in hurling .

A Life Beyond Broadcasting

Despite his prominent role in sports broadcasting, Lyster also harbored a passion for motorsport, even participating in the Cork International Rally, where he achieved a commendable third-place finish .

Illness and Retirement

Lyster faced health challenges during his career, including a cardiac arrest in 2015 . He retired from The Sunday Game at the end of 2018 after presenting coverage of the All-Ireland football final.

Tributes and Legacy

Following his death, tributes poured in from across the sporting world and beyond. Taoiseach Micheál Martin described Lyster as a “moderniser of sport broadcasting” and an “iconic anchor” synonymous with memorable sporting moments . RTÉ’s Director General, Kevin Bakhurst, remembered him as “an absolute gentleman” and a “wonderful broadcaster” who was central to RTÉ’s GAA coverage for many years . President Catherine Connolly also led the tributes, acknowledging Lyster as a familiar presence in Irish households .

Michael Lyster is survived by his wife, Anne, and their four children, Mark, Jack, Rebecca, and Ellen .