Former RTÉ broadcaster Michael Lyster dies aged 71

One of RTÉ Sport’s best-known broadcasters Michael Lyster has died. He was 71.

Having joined RTÉ in 1979, Lyster was best known for presenting The Sunday Game Live for more than 30 years.

He retired from The Sunday Game in 2018 after presenting coverage of the All-Ireland Gaelic football final between Dublin and Tyrone.

The Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) is among those to have paid tribute to the late broadcaster.

Lyster also took part in RTÉ’s coverage of the Olympic Games and other major events.

Additionally, he presented a range of other sports programmes for RTÉ, including horseracing, athletics, rugby, football, motorsport and greyhound racing.

Lyster was also known to have had a huge interest in rally driving, once taking part in the Cork International Rally and finishing third.

Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was “deeply saddened to learn of the passing” calling Lyster “a moderniser of sport broadcasting”.

Describing him as an “iconic anchor”, the taoiseach said “Michael was synonymous with many outstanding sporting moments, especially in the Olympics and Gaelic games”.

RTÉ’s director general Kevin Bakhurst described Lyster as “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,” he said.

Declan McBennett, group head of RTÉ Sport, added that Lyster was “always calm, measured and the consummate professional”.

He said Lyster “managed and guided the panels across the biggest days in the GAA calendar with poise and grace.”